Bulgaria violated Article 2 of the Friendship Treaty by putting the first obstacle during Friday’s meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER). This does not mean that the chances are gone, because there are two more meetings at the level of ambassadors, followed by the General Affairs Council (GAC) on November 17, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.
“Article 2 of the Friendship Treaty clearly reads how Bulgaria will support North Macedonia in its EU integration. And this article was violated just today. We have not violated anything from the Treaty. On the contrary, we are implementing it and we are prepared to release all the minutes from the meetings thus far. It is truly an unpleasant feeling to see what is happening to us, but I believe this is a message for working groups of the countries’ ministries of foreign affairs to accelerate their talks and find solutions,” PM Zaev told reporters.
According to him, this is a hostile signal, which means that the first stage in the adoption of North Macedonia’s EU negotiating framework has been blocked.
He reiterated there would be no new agreement or annex, but a clarification that could be given in the form of a statement, written or oral, for the purpose of moving things forward.
“We have a treaty and we have to use all of its smart and perspective aspects. This model is that a part of our history is common and another part is separate. Let’s use the model of common history and find ways of what we want to establish. If we are smart, I believe that the 2017 treaty is an excellent opportunity to find a solution. Commissions should solve historical issues and we are seeing them doing this,” noted Zaev.
He recalled that the next meeting of the joint committee on historical issues is scheduled on December 5, with five more meetings to follow in 2021.
“I believe that the Bulgarian people is wishing all the best to the Macedonian people, and I believe that at the end of the day, the Bulgarian government and President Radev want to help North Macedonia’s EU integration. We remain friends throughout this process, because only friendship brings progress, perspectives and benefits, both for the citizens of North Macedonia and Bulgaria. I believe that talks will continue in this spirit. I also believe that the first intergovernmental conference will take place in December with the help of the German Presidency,” said Zaev.
He said the clarifications that are needed refer to the country’s long and short names – Republic of North Macedonia and North Macedonia – by saying they both refer to the political subject, the state of North Macedonia, that the country has no territorial aspirations in its Constitution and that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country, including Bulgaria.
“In addition, we are prepared to undertake all actions to accelerate the construction of the Corridor VIII railway section and that is why credit and loan agreements worth more than EUR 600 million have been concluded. The express road from Kumanovo to the Bulgarian border is also swiftly constructed,” said Zaev.
He reiterated that countries cannot negotiate on the identity and the Macedonian language.
“Bulgaria has been clear that they accept the reality of the existence of the Macedonian people and the Macedonian language, but want to speak about the past. The philosophy behind the 2017 treaty was that we accepted a common history, they accepted the existence of the Macedonian people and the Macedonian language. The treaty reads ‘in accordance with the Macedonian and Bulgarian constitutions’, and if we are smart we will make the next steps through the common history that represents the common past of both the Macedonian and the Bulgarian people, two nations surfaced from it and two contemporary languages emerged at the same time. We do not see a problem in affirming that the Macedonian language was codified in 1945, we do not see a problem in affirming that it was verified in the UN in 1977, all of this is our reality and facts,” added Zaev.
According to him, the issue of the identity and the language is one’s oxygen, a matter of feeling and self-determination.
“They acknowledge this as a reality. Of course, as a Macedonian speaking the Macedonian language, this is my right for self-determination,” noted Zaev and added that Greece has also recognized the right of self-determination.
On the phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he said the EU is not even listening or discussing such issues and unequivocally provides its support, but the Union decides with consensus.
“I am pleased that the German Presidency is focused on the start of the accession negotiations and the first intergovernmental conference. Chancellor Merkel is our great friend. She says it is our duty to support you so that you move forward because you have done a lot. At the same time, she is also a friend of Bulgaria and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Germany will invest efforts to support us and be creative. A meeting has already taken place in Berlin, I believe that another one is also possible. The solution needs to be found, of course with the support of the ministers of foreign affairs, Chancellor Merkel, President Steinmeier. Let’s stay optimistic until the very end,” underlined PM Zaev.
