On Monday 2 December, MEPs on the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) held talks with Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of North Macedonia.
He came to present his government’s ambitions and progress on the reforms needed to move Skopje forward on the road to the EU.
But the MEPs present above all took the opportunity to ask him about relations with neighbouring Bulgaria and the amendment to the Constitution to include Bulgarians among the ethnic groups recognised by Skopje.
Spanish MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D) argued for a less divisive view of the issue, citing the need for recognition of diversity, which should be seen as “a good thing”, a request “coming from the EU” and not a “pressure” linked to relations with Bulgaria (see EUROPE 13170/17).
Several MEPs also raised the issue of the Rule of law and the fight against corruption, regretting a lack of progress.
“We are ready and determined to seek reconciliation, but this effort must be shared and requires mutual respect with Bulgaria”, said Timcho Mucunski.
“The ‘blockade’ never works. Don’t let tensions derail your reforms. The pressure is on you today, and if you succeed in implementing your reforms, the pressure will be on Bulgaria. Do your homework and don’t focus on conflicts”, argued Matej Tonin (EPP, Slovenian).
North Macedonia has officially been in discussions to join the European Union since 2020, but due to a latent conflict with Bulgaria over issues of national identity, the process has slowed considerably since 2023 (see EUROPE 13491/12). (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)