President Radev: North Macedonia should prove with results that it is really committed to European integration

The institutions in the Republic of North Macedonia need to prove with results that they are truly committed to European integration, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Brussels on February 9. The two discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral cooperation and within the EU.

Yet another anti-Bulgarian campaign in the Republic of North Macedonia, which led to a number of hate crimes - arson and firing at Bulgarian cultural clubs, as well as violence against Macedonian Bulgarians, raises questions about the role and responsibility of the institutions in the country, President Radev said.

The Head of State reminded that both Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia have accepted the negotiating framework proposed in the framework of the French presidency of the Council of the EU, and the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia’s Constitution is a mandatory step before the start of the negotiation process.

"We observe an absence of political will for reforms and constitutional change, and instead, yet another anti-Bulgarian campaign is being waged in the country," Rumen Radev said.

The two presidents noted the good partnership between Bulgaria and France in the energy sector, as well as the prospects for its further development.

During the meeting, the Bulgarian Head of State expressed Bulgaria's interest in acquiring fighter jets on lease from its allies as a temporary solution to ensure the protection of Bulgarian airspace until the F-16 squadron is delivered.

Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and the possible approaches to achieve this was also a focus of the meeting.