site.btaEuropean Parliament Leader Assures Bulgarian President that Enlargement Remains Founded on “Own Merit” Rule

The policy of EU enlargement based on the “own merit” principle remains a strategic priority for the European Parliament (EP) as a key instrument to promote peace, democracy, stability and prosperity across Europe, especially in the Western Balkans, EP President Roberta Metsola wrote in a letter to Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, the President’s press secretariat reported on Friday.

The letter comes as a reply to a message sent by President Radev to leaders of EU institutions and the heads of state or government who are members of the European Council after the June 24 vote in the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs on the draft report on North Macedonia’s progress along the path of European integration. In his letter, Radev drew attention to disturbing facts and circumstances surrounding the preparation of the draft report, the rejection of revisions proposed by the Bulgarian MEPs and the problematic use of terminology of moral or specialized scientific nature such as “identity” and “language” in the absence of legal grounds and relevant competencies.

In her reply, Metsola informed Radev about the North Macedonia report as adopted by the EP on July 9, which carries no references to identity and language. She said the European legislature acknowledges North Macedonia’s continuing commitment to its European integration and its inclusion in EU policies. According to her, the EP encourages the country to press ahead with the reforms related to the adoption of EU standards and to honour its commitments, particularly as regards unfulfilled constitutional amendments concerning the protection of the rights of the Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia.

Metsola thanked Bulgaria for its consistent support and strong advocacy for the Western Balkan countries’ accession to the EU.