A more constructive approach in the negotiations with Bulgaria

Collage: "Free Press"

Skopje believes that now is the most positive moment to find a solution with Sofia and therefore should not be missed, because any prolongation reduces the chances of an agreement and brings uncertainty. The winners of the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria are also announcing a more constructive approach, but without specific deadlines for a solution. For now, the question remains whether a quick breakthrough is possible over the lifting of the Bulgarian blockade and the recent start of negotiations between Northern Macedonia and the EU.

- I will do my best to find a solution with Bulgaria, because if it is not found now, I do not believe it will be found in 2022. Between December 14 and January 15 is the period when the General Affairs Council can be held. It is an opportunity to step forward and finally, after 16 and a half years, to start negotiations. It is a matter of weeks, said yesterday the Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

Zaev, who announced his recent resignation from the post of Prime Minister, as he said, "after it is certain with Bulgaria", believes that this is an important period that requires greater responsibility and that a stable majority and government is needed, which is provided by the entry of Alternative.

- Personally, I think that it should be clear to both Bulgaria and Europe, that at least the uncertainty after me is more present because they know me as I am, what policies I lead and what I aspire to and that is why I say that this is the most positive period to find solution. For me, the most important thing in the country is the Euro-Atlantic path and what started with Bulgaria. In the end, we are in a photo finish, and it can not be left like this. The goal is clearly defined when it can be completed, there will be a period when France will preside and the elections there will be in the spring, so the period to find a window for resolving the dispute between Northern Macedonia and Bulgaria is small, said Zaev after the signed agreement. cooperation with the leader of Alternative Afrim Gashi.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov, meanwhile, from the regional conference "Renewed Narrative for Accelerated EU Integration", noted that Northern Macedonia has invested a lot of political capital based on European promises, responded to very strict conditions, and it's time to get fair validation. if the EU is a community of values.

- The Macedonian case in a European context is a litmus test from which the region will read whether the EU is serious when talking about the European future of the Western Balkans, and because we have waited a long time, and because we have done a lot, not only to resolve bilateral issues, but and with democratic reforms at home. We have done everything and we are absolutely ready to start negotiations with the EU. Northern Macedonia is a story of hope for everyone in the region, so our (failure) is (failure) for the EU, if the EU is a force that pulls for good, said Dimitrov.

In that context, he added that the European project is based on building a common European identity based on values ​​as the main benefit of the process. It is not decent, he says, to challenge our neighbor for issues that are very internal and intimate, such as language, and it is not helpful to sacrifice our future for the past and history.

- Identity building is important because it can easily be abused through nationalist narratives that are actually against national interests, as was the case with the name dispute we had with Greece. "Europe in the 21st century should mean a competition of ideas and achievements that will improve our lives and provide a better starting position for future generations - areas such as the rule of law, digitalization, green economy," Dimitrov said.

The position that the place of S Macedonia and other countries in the region in the EU is the Bulgarian MEP Ilhan Kucuk. He expects Skopje and Sofia to make every effort to resolve the dispute between the two countries by the end of this month.

From Bulgaria, after the parliamentary elections, there are announcements for a new approach to Skopje, but for now without specific deadlines for a solution.

Kiril Petkov, co-chair of the "Change Continues" coalition, which won the election, said one of the first tasks of Bulgaria's new foreign minister and future Bulgarian prime minister is to form working groups between Bulgaria and northern Macedonia covering various areas.

According to Petkov, the topic of history, which should not be ignored, will become one of the topics of conversation, but it will not be unique.

- To have working groups on economics, infrastructure, culture, history, human rights and to start working on each of these topics as transparently as possible, so that the two peoples can get acquainted with the real topics and everyone can start thinking about what is the price if there is no good neighborliness between the two countries and vice versa - what are the successes if there is real good neighborliness. "Then the readiness for compromises on issues that are important for us as a nation and for them as a nation should be easier to resolve," Petkov commented.

But, according to him, that can not happen, if only Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia talk about it, but the whole context must be opened. Good results, he said, come through work, not good ideas and slogans. According to him, we can get the most with good neighborliness and in the future to solve these problems, which he called "small". To be, as he said, part of the European family that will be very good for the whole region.

Bulgarian President-elect Rumen Radev also expects active high-level bilateral dialogue to build trust and resolve contentious issues in relations between the two countries, but for now remains firm and believes that Northern Macedonia, not Bulgaria, is the one that "must show European maturity and respect for EU values ​​”.

Source: MIA

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