site.btaNorth Macedonia Works with EU Partners to Restore Dialogue, Trust with Bulgaria, Says Minister for European Affairs

North Macedonia, together with its European partners, is working to establish dialogue and restore trust between Skopje and Sofia, said the Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia, Orhan Murtezani, at a joint press conference with Sweden's Minister for European Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, here on Friday.

His comments came in response to a journalist’s question regarding North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova’s suggestion that a possible way to resolve the “dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia” would be to sign a protocol stipulating that “issues of history, culture, and identity cannot be a condition” for the country’s EU integration. 

In response to a question about whether constitutional amendments are being considered, as suggested by US Ambassador to Skopje, Angela Aggeler, Murtezani said that this is a commitment without which negotiations cannot begin and there can be no EU membership. “However, as I emphasized, we cannot currently discuss the process of constitutional changes when all our concerns and dilemmas have not been adequately addressed. It is necessary to establish regular dialogue and restore trust between the two neighbouring countries in order to build a common European future,” he noted. 

Rosencrantz said that good dialogue with neighbouring countries is always welcome as part of the accession process, and any constructive dialogue that can be achieved will be supported. “Regarding the process itself, Sweden knows that once constitutional amendments are adopted, the EU and all Member States should immediately begin official negotiations with North Macedonia,” the Minister added. 

She confirmed Sweden’s support for the implementation of reforms, especially those related to the rule of law, judicial independence and integrity, and the fight against corruption, and expressed confidence that the European Commission report provides clear guidance on this path.