Péter Szijjártó: North Macedonia's EU entry should be hastened; Bulgaria is a hostile country

When Hungary assumes the EU chair, it will do all necessary to guarantee that the Republic of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans join the EU as soon as feasible, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó in Skopje.

"With the accession of North Macedonia, the European Union's expansion must be accelerated immediately." "Real negotiations must begin immediately and be completed in order for North Macedonia to become a member," said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, who is on a business visit to the nation.

At a news conference in Skopje, Macedonian Foreign Minister Buyar Osmani Sijarto emphasized that the European Union requires the Western Balkans. "The EU requires this momentum and rapid development of events." "The EU must recognize the Western Balkans' place within the Union," he continued.

According to him, there are still members of the bloc "who are delaying and putting obstacles in this process."

"It's terrible that Bulgaria blocked the letter that was supposed to be sent to North Macedonia a few weeks ago." North Macedonia has been a candidate for 18 years, and the failure to begin discussions is horrible, shows disdain for the nation, and is against the interests of the EU," said Szijjarto.

"Those who oppose accession should be aware that they are undermining trust in the Union." When we take over the EU presidency, we will do all necessary to guarantee that North Macedonia and the Western Balkans become members as quickly as feasible," he stated.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister once again expressed strong opposition to Bulgaria due to the tariff on natural gas imports and transfers via our country's "Balkan Stream."

"It is critical for every country to secure its energy supplies." "No one has the right to jeopardize the security of others' energy supplies," Szijjártó stated after Hungary filed a protest with the European Commission about Bulgaria's conduct. He sees this as a hostile action by Bulgaria.

Bujar Osmani, for his part, argued that this is an unlawfully decided tactic that opposes European regulations and harms the Macedonian economy. "We have notified the EC and asked for a coordinated approach to remove this illegally imposed fee," Osmani said in a statement.

The two foreign ministers addressed a variety of issues, but did not address the extradition of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

"We should not interfere in judicial processes, and I believe it is unnecessary to discuss this matter," Szijjarto responded to a journalist's inquiry on the subject.

"It is not about foreign policy communication," Osmani clarified. "It is not in the interest of any country for the prime minister to be in exile," he went on to say. / BGNES