We should get used to the fact that from the day when accession negotiations begin, we will have to get the green light from 27 states during yearly summits, because enlargement issues require consensus. We have to get used to this until we join the Union, says Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and adds that Tuesday’s discussions in Sofia are a good foundation to move forward in overcoming misunderstandings with Bulgaria.
FM Osmani told TV24 it is still uncertain whether EU accession negotiations will begin in December and if Bulgaria will use its veto right.
“The General Affairs Council has been delayed until November 17 and there are a few more days for alignment of the text of the negotiating framework among member-states. I cannot say for certain what decision will be taken, but what I do know is that we will work until the last day to deliver results. Today in Sofia we discussed openly on all issue, the concerns and sensitivities of both sides regarding the process, the expectations, the achievements, the possibilities, the projections etc and I believe this was a good foundation to move forward,” says Osmani.
He adds that the goal is to use predictable strategy in order to reach a solution that will open the path and bring the two countries closer, adding that the German EU Presidency is working towards finding a solution while considering the sensitivities of both sides.
“As a candidate we are seeing serious support from the German Presidency and this is encouraging for us, since our region is seriously taken into account,” says Osmani.
He says Bulgaria believes that the work of the historical commission has not produced the desired results.
“We made an overview of what has been achieved thus far. Discussions will continue up to final minutes ahead of the summit. I cannot go into much detail because this can have a negative effect,” says Osmani.
According to him, there is a need for internal cohesion on this complex issue and believes that the opposition should be involved.
The FM says there is already a quantum leap made following the agreement on five historical periods and three persons, whereas no issues had been agreed upon in the previous 70 years.
On the involvement of German experts in the work of the commissions, Osmani says such assistance would be welcome, because they could provide experiences from similar disputes such as the ones between Germany and Poland or Germany and the Czech Republic, but there is still no consensus over this.
Regarding the stance of Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov that North Macedonia has until Friday to accept Bulgaria’s demands, Osmani says the pre-election atmosphere is heating up.
“The next deadline is November 17 i.e. the session of the Council of Ministers. If the problem is not solved until then, a decision should be made by December,” says Osmani.
