The Institute for European Policy, together with Civil Rights Defenders and members of the Thoughts on Europe network, sent an open letter to Members of the European Parliament regarding the draft resolution on the Commission's 2021 Report on Northern Macedonia.

They urge MEPs to consider parts of the resolution and the conditions set by Bulgaria that will have negative implications for Macedonia's identity and support the ultimatum that Bulgaria is imposing on northern Macedonia, using EU membership as a tool.

- One of the regular things that he follows and continues to do is to lobby the MEPs for a text on the resolution that will not violate our national interests. The fact is that when you are not inside it is much harder, This with the European Parliament is a special line that must be constantly fed to give results. A system of informing and consulting with us is needed here, says Malinka Ristevska-Jordanova, from the Institute for European Policy (EPI) for the Morning Briefing.

She informed that today in the European Parliament will vote on the latest amendments adopted by the EC.

- The group of the European People's Party withdrew the amendment in which it was claimed that the Bulgarians in Macedonia were discriminated. The text now contains general recommendations for combating discrimination. The amendment for joint celebration and historical reconciliation on a defined common history with Bulgaria submitted by the European People's Party will be voted on individually. The draft amendment from the Greens refers to the incentive to resolve the historical issue and to apply the provisions of the Good Neighbor Agreement and the recommendation to start negotiations, says Ristevska Jordanova.

- These formulations that suit Bulgaria are included in these texts. There is a compromise formulation - to open negotiations and at the same time to open the 4 + 1 issues. What is specific about Macedonia was that in terms of reforms the assessment was very positive. They praised the constant trend of implementing reforms, especially in the area of ​​rule of law. Secondly, the strong insistence that negotiations must begin is very important. Dzambaski reacted the most here as well. It is obvious that Bulgaria stands on its own, says Ristevska Jordanova.

According to her, the best thing for the Macedonian diplomacy at the moment is to calmly, persistently and without much emotion, but with a systematic influence to show us as great fighters, to show constructiveness, but not at the cost of new concessions.

Watch the whole conversation in the video: