Bulgaria stands completely alone in the dispute with North Macedonia, its positions are incomprehensible to other EU members, which puts it in the group of troubled EU countries, such as Poland and Hungary, says Vesela Cherneva, Deputy Director of the European Council for Foreign Policy (ECFR) and head of the NGO’s Sofia office.
“Our dispute with North Macedonia has two aspects – first, we’ve reduced our neighborhood relations and dialogue to historic disputes, which is in itself unacceptable in the negotiation process, and second – the veto has put us in the corner of troubled EU countries, such as Poland and Hungary,” Cherneva told Bloomberg TV Bulgaria.
According to her, Sofia has become a misunderstood partner for all EU countries and stands alone in the dispute with Skopje.
“Leaving aside our relations with neighbors, which are currently at a very low point, Bulgaria has become a misunderstood partner for all EU countries. That is why I dare say that we stand alone in the dispute with Skopje,” Cherneva said.
According to her, the consequences of Bulgaria’s veto on North Macedonia’s European integration will be direct, and Sofia will no longer be able to count on Brussels cooperation and understanding.
“The Recovery Fund, the Green Deal and the transformation of the coal-dependent Bulgarian energy sector are all factors that need the EU’s assistance. But after our “no”, Sofia’s demands and desires will be a voice in the desert,” said Vesela Cherneva, ECFR Deputy Director and head of the NGO’s Sofia office.
