Ministry of Foreign Affairs: No change in Bulgaria’s position on North Macedonia's European integration

In connection with the false information that has appeared in the media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically states that the Bulgarian position on the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia remains unchanged, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry announced to the media on April 12.

Bulgaria continues to adhere to the Framework Position on EU Enlargement and the Stabilisation and Association Process: the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania dated 9 October 2019, unanimously supported by the Declaration of the National Assembly of 10 October 2019, as well as by the meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security 10 January 2022.

Supporting the EU enlargement to the Western Balkan countries remains a priority of Bulgarian foreign policy, with the key importance continuing to be following the criterion of each candidate country's own merits and respect for the fundamental values of the Union, including respect for human rights and the principle of good neighbourliness.

Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska reaffirmed Bulgaria's position during her talks with the German Foreign Minister in the framework of the Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 11 April 2022.

Regarding the start of negotiations on the EU membership of the Republic of North Macedonia, it is of key importance for Bulgaria to achieve irreversible results in maintaining good neighbourly relations and to obtain clear guarantees within the EU negotiation process to further implement the 2017 Good Neghbourly Relations Agreement. We look forward to constitutional guarantees on the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Bulgarian side is guided by the results, not by specific deadlines, the Foreign Ministry's position reads.