Portugal’s Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ana Paula Zacarias, has voiced hope that the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, slated for July 11, will bring a solution to Bulgaria’s veto on opening North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations. She expects Slovenia, as a country in the region, which is taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1, to help resolve the issue.
Zacarias told the Bulgarian National Radio that Bulgaria’s position should be respected and no disagreements should be introduced in the EU, MIA’s Sofia correspondent reports.
“This is a very difficult debate, especially for Bulgaria. It’s about the history, the cultural identity of the two countries, as well as future cooperation. They are currently working on a roadmap that should help them to cooperate, and Bulgaria to have guarantees that when North Macedonia joins the EU things will be running smoothly,” said Zacarias.
According to her, North Macedonia has gone through difficult negotiations with Greece, due to which it changed its name. At the same time, the issue between Sofia and Skopje is a very difficult one because it’s related to the language and cultural dimensions of the two countries.
“New elections will be held in Bulgaria on July 11, and I think the Bulgarian authorities are waiting on the results before deciding on the next steps,” Zacarias said.
She noted it’s very important that disagreements between the two countries are not introduced into the EU, adding that Bulgaria is under pressure to find a compromise.
“What I feel is that the time was not right for a solution. Bulgaria needed more time to discuss these issues. Regardless of elections, I believe negotiations with North Macedonia must continue, particularly regarding the roadmap which must be clear. Both sides are trying to express their position – Bulgaria has always said it’s not against North Macedonia’s EU membership, on the contrary, it wants it in the EU,” said Portugal’s Secretary of State for European Affairs.
Zacarias concluded there needs to be clarity in some aspects, adding that more time is needed, greater caution, but the debate must continue.
