The EU accession process should be based on principles, and North Macedonia has made enough reforms to justify holding the first intergovernmental conference (IGC). The bilateral dispute with Bulgaria should be resolved outside the accession process, Matthew Palmer, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told VOA.
He hopes an agreement will be reached to hold the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia during Germany’s EU presidency.
“North Macedonia has done enough to qualify for the intergovernmental conference, and I think the majority of EU members are clear about that. We’ll continue to work with our European partners to make that happen. We’ll do everything we can to prepare the ground, and we’ll continue to publicly demonstrate our strong support for moving North Macedonia towards EU membership,” Palmer said.
Asked whether Bulgaria’s demands reflect European values, and whether the US condemns such behavior, Palmer said:
“We understand that there are certain important issues related to history, identity and language that need to be resolved between Bulgaria and North Macedonia as neighbors, allies and partners. Regarding the EU accession process, we want to see it move forward, without including bilateral issues. We’d very much like to see bilateral issues handled in bilateral channels.”
According to him, the price for getting into the EU is clear and explained on about 80 thousand pages with rules and regulations.
“It’s a standards-based process. We want to see North Macedonia continue with the reforms that have opened the door to Europe. As I said, there are bilateral problems that can and should be resolved bilaterally. The EU accession process should depend on addressing the necessary reforms that will ensure North Macedonia becomes an EU member,” said Palmer in response to a question on whether erasing history should be the price for joining the EU.
According to the US Deputy Assistant Secretary, in order to maintain European credibility in the country, the EU needs to show that progress in reforms will be reflected in opening of the accession process.
“At this point, the next step for North Macedonia is launching the intergovernmental conference, and that is something that North Macedonia has clearly deserved through reform,” Palmer noted.
He said he didn’t want to predict the outcome of next week’s meeting, but stressed that the US would remain partners throughout the process with North Macedonia and Albania.
“Stay with it, keep committed to the reforms, demonstrate seriousness of purpose and keep moving forward,” said Palmer.
