The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, gave their support on Saturday 9 July to the French proposal to settle the dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, calling on the Macedonian Parliament to accept the compromise (see EUROPE 12986/22).
“At this critical moment in European history, marked by the unjustifiable aggression carried out by Russia against Ukraine, advancing Albania and North Macedonia’s EU path is key to strengthening the cohesion and resilience of the entire European continent”, they said in a joint statement.
“The sovereign decision of the Parliament of North Macedonia will be important to move forward. This spirit of constructive compromise on which European integration is built should continue to inspire all those involved in this historic process”, they added.
In their view, the compromise proposal takes into account the interests and concerns of North Macedonia and Bulgaria “based on mutual respect, trust and understanding”.
They pledged that the EU and the US were determined to strengthen their cooperation in the Western Balkans. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)