MEP Ilhan Quchuk stated in an interview for "BTV" that there are external factors that do not want Bulgaria and North Macedonia to be in good relations. According to him, these are all those people who do not want North Macedonia to be part of the EU.

These are those who do not want our country to have influence, because the imposition of the veto means that Bulgaria has no friends in the Balkans, in the EU, Kyuchuk told "BTV".

According to the MEP, it is necessary to insist on the rule of law and high democratic standards in Skopje.

"As long as the rights of people who are considered Bulgarians in the RSM are not recognized, the tension will continue." In addition, we have been in the EU for 17 years, and we have not been able to join the bloc on the important topics, including the provision of military aid to Ukraine, as well as on key EU reforms," ​​Kuchuk said.

Kuchuk says that the Bulgarian level of participation is falling, and their capacity is very weak.

"All attempts to reduce tensions should be encouraged, and this does not apply only to the Bulgarian state, it also applies to Skopje", he stressed.