site.btaMEP Vigenin: Skopje Cannot Join EU without Sofia's Support

"The Republic of North Macedonia can begin EU accession negotiations as soon as it adopts the agreed constitutional revisions, and without Bulgaria's support the country cannot join the EU," Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats told BTA, commenting on the European Commission reports on the Western Balkans' progress along the path to European integration.

Ahead of the plenary vote, due later on Wednesday, on a motion for a European Parliament resolution on the 2025 Commission reports on seven candidate countries' progress towards EU accession, BTA has approached for comment Bulgarian MEPs of all political groups and of all Bulgarian political parties represented in the European Parliament. 

Vigenin pointed out that the Western Balkan countries are progressing at different speeds towards EU accession. In his words, Montenegro and Albania are among the countries that have made the greatest progress, whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina keeps running into serious domestic problems and Serbia incurs criticism for advancing too little in the rule of law, counter-corruption and media freedom.

"The Republic of North Macedonia is the worst laggard, as it refuses to agree to the step that will clear its way to the negotiations. There is no such thing as a Bulgarian veto. As soon as the constitutional amendments are adopted, the negotiations can start," the MEP said.

In his opinion, Skopje is seeking excuses for the standstill, and the responsibility is often shifted to Bulgaria.

Regarding the balance between support for the European perspective of North Macedonia and safeguarding Bulgarian national interest, Vigenin said that "Bulgaria is interested in its neighbouring country becoming an EU Member State but cannot back the accession of a country that exhibits a hostile attitude."

"Bulgaria cannot tolerate the EU accession of a hostile country. Without Bulgaria's vote and without Bulgaria's support, the Republic of North Macedonia cannot join the EU," he pointed out.

The MEP emphasized the existence of a broad political consensus on the subject in Bulgaria and argued that the powerholders in Skopje must make efforts to implement the necessary reforms and improve the attitude to Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens.

Vigenin also commented on the arson of cars belonging to the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Skopje, describing the case as "yet another result of a persistently instilled negative attitude towards Bulgaria".

"This is not an isolated incident but part of a series of cases which stem from a systematic policy. The condemnation of the case itself will not change anything unless clear messages are sent about ending the negativity towards Bulgaria," he said.

In his words, all 17 Bulgarian MEPs have concurred on a common position condemning the attack on the diplomatic mission and recalling previous instances of violence and discrimination against people self-identifying as Bulgarians in North Macedonia. 

Vigenin noted further that good-neighbour relations are an essential component of the country's European path and that the bilateral agreements as signed and the negotiating framework must be implemented regardless of political changes in Skopje.

"Bulgaria has made a lot of compromises in order to support the European perspective of the Republic of North Macedonia. Now is the time for our neighbours to show that they are ready to honour their commitments and invest in good-neighbour relations," the Bulgarian MEP told BTA.