site.btaNorth Macedonia Prime Minister Mickoski: There Is Severe Political Pressure from Bulgaria Against Adoption of Progress Report on North Macedonia

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he would be the happiest person in the world if the European Parliament’s report on his country’s progress [towards EU accession] is approved by the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on June 24.

“These days, I am receiving information that there is again severe political pressure from Bulgarian MEPs and the Bulgarian government, warning that if this report is voted on, it could radicalize pro-Russian forces opposed to the current pro-European Bulgarian government,” Mickoski told reporters in North Macedonia after the reopening of an ethnic Macedonian Village complex, which had been closed for seven years.

“This shows the state of an EU member country and reveals who is actually obstructing the EU integration process, which the opposition is ready to support blindly. Think about where it would end if we were such reckless and gullible politicians,” he added.

Mickoski said he is receiving enormous support from some members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and certain MEPs.

“For us, it is enough satisfaction that the real reason and strategy coming from our eastern neighbor are finally coming to light. And that is, I will repeat, the creation of the current Macedonian nation, with the current Macedonian identity, speaking its native, current Macedonian language, but based on Bulgarian roots. That is the essence,” Mickoski stated.

The progress report on North Macedonia, which was originally scheduled to be discussed by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this month, was postponed to June 24 at the request of rapporteur Thomas Waitz.