site.btaDecision on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia in the European Union accession process

Pursuant to Article 86(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, The National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, 

- having regard to the Decision of the 47th National Assembly of 24 June 2022;

- having regard to the Declarations of the 48th National Assembly of 2 February 2023 and of the 50th National Assembly of 26 September 2024;

- emphasizing on the fundamental importance of the European Consensus of July 2022 on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia in the negotiation process for European Union membership;

- emphasizing that both the constitutional changes and the inclusion of Bulgarians in the preamble and in all relevant items in the Constitution, on an equal footing with the other peoples of the country, and the good-faith implementation of the Treaty on Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria are important parts of the European Consensus;

- underlining that this agreement has been endorsed by all 27 Member States of the European Union and by the Republic of North Macedonia and aims at the strict implementation of the Copenhagen criteria in the field of human rights as a prerequisite for progress in the accession process;

- expressing concern about the continuing institutional pressure and disregard for the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia, including about politically motivated court proceedings, physical aggression, and hate speech;

- emphasizing that Bulgaria has no conditions beyond the elements of the European Consensus;

- emphasizing that the call on the authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to fully and comprehensively implement the European Consensus agreed and adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2022 is contained in the European Commission's progress reports on the Republic of North Macedonia for 2023 and 2024, as well as in the conclusions of the Council of the European Union and of the European Council;

- taking into account the upcoming assessment by the European Parliament of the progress made by the candidate countries in the EU accession process,

HAS DECIDED:

1. Bulgaria remains fully committed to the European Consensus of July 2022 and calls on the authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to also strictly implement the agreements they have made.

2. Emphasizes that any attempts within the formats and institutions of the European Union to renegotiate, circumvent, or disregard elements of the agreements reached are unacceptable.

3. Underlines that the European Consensus is an agreement between the candidate country for European Union membership on the one hand and the Union as a whole on the other hand, therefore it does not constitute a bilateral issue. Recalls that the European Consensus is based on the Council Conclusions of July 2022, the negotiation framework of the Republic of North Macedonia and the joint protocols between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia on the implementation of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation signed on 1 August 2017.

4. Calls on the European Union institutions to continue their efforts to guarantee the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as those of other communities, including their right to preserve and develop their cultural and historical heritage, language, ancestral memory, and identity; and to adopt an inclusive approach to sensitive issues of national identity in the multi-ethnic society of the Republic of North Macedonia.

5. Calls on international organizations to strictly observe the highest standards in the field of human rights protection in the Republic of North Macedonia, to react and take appropriate measures in cases of violence, discrimination, hate speech, institutional pressure or other forms of repression against Bulgarians or representatives of other communities in the Republic of North Macedonia.

6. Expects, in implementation of the 2022 European Consensus, the Republic of North Macedonia to develop and present a targeted action plan for the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities or communities, accompanying the Roadmap on the Rule of Law. This plan, the implementation of which will be monitored throughout the European Union accession process of the Republic of North Macedonia, should contain clear, measurable and effective measures to protect the human rights of vulnerable groups in the society of the Republic of North Macedonia.

7. Expresses its strong and unwavering support for all Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia and insists on their non-discriminatory treatment. 

8. Proposes that the Council of Ministers forward the Decision to the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe.

The Decision was adopted by the 51st National Assembly on 30 May 2025 and stamped with the official seal of the National Assembly.

Undersigned by the President of the National Assembly, Nataliya Kiselova

Sealed with the round seal of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria