site.btaUPDATED EU Enlargement Commissioner Sparks Outrage in North Macedonia over Identity Remarks

In North Macedonia, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos sparked an outrage over identity remarks. At a press conference following the Western Balkans leaders’ meeting on the Growth Plan, Marta Kos stated that “EU membership is the best way to protect the identity, culture, and language of Macedonians because it is built on diversity and the EU is taking care of all the Member States.”

“Identity can never be subject to political decisions. Identity is something we carry in our souls and hearts. Identity is how we feel about our own country. Identity is how we care for our tradition, like monasteries in North Macedonia, the pogacha [bread], the tavche-gravche [bean dish], the pindjur [pepper spread], or stuffed peppers. It is how we look on the traditional dresses. It is what kind of relations we have with the elderly people in the country. It is what kind of attitude we have toward preserving our language. And this is something nobody can take from Macedonians,” the Enlargement Commissioner said in response to a journalist’s question.

The opposition party Levitsa condemned Kos’s statement, arguing it trivialized Macedonian national identity by reducing it to folklore and cuisine, ignoring its historical, national, political, and state-building aspects which are central to the dispute with Bulgaria blocking North Macedonia’s EU progress.

University professor and former MP Jove Kekenovski responded with an open letter, stressing that Macedonian identity is not folklore or culinary experience but a political reality born from historical struggle for freedom and equality. He expressed concern the statement unintentionally undermines the Macedonian language and culture amid European Parliament debates.

Former Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov criticized the rise of anti-European and revisionist views, emphasizing that the real issue is the EU conditioning North Macedonia’s path on historical disputes and identity questions, not a fear of losing identity. He called for sensitivity when discussing such topics, especially by visitors.

Journalist Katerina Tsanevska highlighted Macedonia’s deep cultural and historical heritage beyond cuisine, referencing landmarks like the University of St. Clement and centuries-old monasteries. She expressed hope Commissioner Kos had an off day and would apologize for offending Macedonians’ feelings.

The website PressingTV sarcastically remarked that Kos’s remarks increased Euroscepticism, suggesting that such comments show the EU’s disregard for Macedonian identity and siding with Bulgaria, leaving Macedonians only with their traditional dishes.

Professor Miryana Naichevska called the reduction of identity to food an insult, especially from someone from a shared former Yugoslav republic. She noted these dishes are Mediterranean and do not prove the uniqueness of Macedonian identity.

Alexander Krzhalovski, director of the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation, noted that many criticisms overlook Kos’s opening point that identity cannot be a political decision. He explained that identity is the core of disputes with Bulgaria and is part of the negotiation framework. While constitutional changes are considered technical, the EU does not deeply engage with the underlying issues, focusing more on formalities than understanding.

Addressing a joint press conference with Kos on Tuesday, North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said: "I am more careful when it comes to identity. Yes, we have it in us, but I have to admit that in these 30 years we have lost a big part of it, changing the flag, the name, changing the constitution several times. And in an environment where we have no guarantee that this will be the last concession in terms of identity, I would be much more careful because I am guided by the motto 'don't listen to what people say, watch what they do'. And what some of the MEPs from our eastern neighbour have done and are still doing has nothing to do with European values. My identity is not only the wonderful Macedonian cuisine, but also Gotse Delchev, [Kuzman] Shapkarev, the Miladinov brothers, the Ilinden Uprising, Dame Gruev, Yane Sandanski, etc. I don't know if the same thoughts will be shared by our Eastern colleagues [from Bulgaria], but these are the people who are part of our North Macedonia identity."

Commenting on Kos’s statement, North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said that identity, especially in this region, is a “complex category”. “Unfortunately, even in the 21st century, it remains a category that some European countries challenge. But for us, there is no dilemma that historical figures such as Gotse Delchev, Dame Gruev, and Yane Sandanski are part of our identity, along with the beautiful monasteries and mosques on our territory,” he added.

The opposition party Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) also reacted, stating that although the Commissioner had no ill intentions, caution should be exercised when discussing sensitive issues that are unnecessarily stirred up. “As citizens of North Macedonia, we know who we are, what we are, and where we come from. Both our language and identity are clearly confirmed in all signed agreements with the EU,” SDSM said.

The Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) party condemned the hate campaign triggered by Commissioner Kos’s remarks that “identity can never be subject to political decisions”. The party criticized North Macedonia's Minister for European Affairs, Orhan Murtezani, for not defending this position. DUI praised Kos as a sincere and important friend of the country, noting her deep European approach to respecting diversity and protecting ethnic particularities in Europe. The party regretted that, instead of recognizing and strengthening these ties, the government missed the opportunity at the Western Balkans–EU summit, showing intolerance even towards the country’s most sincere friends.