It’s important for us that the Macedonian language and the Macedonian identity remain unchanged. We have a mechanism for historical issues to be resolved by historians and it’s important that the accession process is Europeanized, not Balkanized, Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov said Tuesday after laying fresh flowers at the National and University Library’s St. Clement of Ohrid monument.

“Our positions on the right to self-determination are crystal clear and that talks with neighbouring Bulgaria will continue. We will continue our efforts to convince them that the right to self-determination cannot be an obstacle to European integration or for good neighborliness,” Dimitrov noted.

He assessed that this is a major blow to the European policy towards the Balkans. First, he underlined, because decision in March for opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia was unconditional and second, there were views from all sides that we have completed our work and we should start accession negotiations.

He said that during this period he is in contact with many of his colleagues from the EU member states and that they are making a plan how to get involved in our domestic reform agenda.

“If the formal accession process can no longer start, which is burdened, although it should not be with bilateral issues, with a veto, we should Europeanize our country with the support of EU member states that see that we absolutely deserve,” Dimitrov stressed.

Reminding that problems are solved only through dialogue, he said “We will continue our efforts to convince the neighbouring Bulgaria that this, among other things, is not good for the process we have started.”

He said that he highly appreciated the efforts of the German EU presidency and this is discussed as an information point today at the meeting of the General Affairs Council.