EU: Without Bulgarians, North Macedonia has no place in the bloc
The EU ambassador in Skopje, David Gere, called on the Macedonian government to respect the obligation to include Bulgarians in the Constitution and stressed that the Negotiating Framework with the EU will not change, BGNES reported.
"The president, the parliament and all institutions have their role in the process of European integration. The political parties must overcome differences and be united on this issue. We want North Macedonia to be part of the EU and as soon as possible. The new Macedonian government claims to be dedicated to this goal. The EU expects reforms to be implemented, existing treaties to be implemented, the commitment to include Bulgarians in the country's constitution to be respected," the diplomat said in an interview with MRT1.
David Geer warned that Brussels will monitor "what is done, not what is said".
On Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski's demand for renegotiation of the Negotiating Framework for EU membership, Geer said:
"The treaty with Bulgaria has created a framework for improving relations in many areas. Everyone should work to deepen relations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Our position has not changed regarding constitutional changes. Both before and after the elections, we expect North Macedonia to make them. The constitutional amendments were agreed in July 2022. Negotiations were then opened with the EU and the screening process began, which was successfully implemented. This commitment must be kept with the inclusion of those who self-identify as Bulgarians in North Macedonia."
"I do not see the possibility of changing the negotiating framework. If North Macedonia and Bulgaria want to talk about the Treaty of Friendship and Neighbourhood, I would encourage them to do so, but the consequences for the negotiating framework are the same. Changes in the constitution have to be made", the diplomat stressed.
The EU ambassador also said that the Prespa treaty between Skopje and Athens should be respected because it has brought results and made possible North Macedonia's NATO membership.
"The treaty must be implemented in its entirety. We expect everyone to implement it, including on the issue of the use of the constitutional name (North Macedonia)", David Geer emphasized. | BGNES
