After yesterday’s approval of the EU enlargement conclusions, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on Thursday called the text unsatisfactory, reports MIA’s Brussels correspondent.
The inclusion of the term ‘misinterpretation of history’ and the long name of North Macedonia in the enlargement conclusions was criticized in the country, which is being also reflected in several EU countries, according to several diplomatic sources in Brussels.
The German presidency was hoping that these conclusions were going to be adopted officially by the Council today. MIA has learned that at least two countries have voiced objection because they believe that the EU has been too lenient towards Bulgaria’s demands.
Namely, Bulgaria’s demand was incorporated in the final proposal of the German presidency, revealed two days ago, after pressing ahead for the inclusion of ‘misinterpretation of history’ in a segment related to North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
The demand was met with rejection and the enlargement conclusions were kept hidden in a drawer throughout the consultations with Sofia regarding North Macedonia.
Sofia has blocked the EU negotiating framework for North Macedonia all the while insisting ‘misinterpretation of history’ and the long name, the Republic of North Macedonia, to be included in the conclusions for EU enlargement referring to the Western Balkans.
Unless Sofia backs down, the negotiating framework for North Macedonia remains ‘frozen’. Germany believes that conclusions for the whole region are necessary, which is customary every December.
Although a majority of diplomats in Brussels were confident that the conclusions would be adopted in the next two days, Bratislava and Prague have raised objections hindering the adoption of the conclusions.
MIA has learned that Slovakia has been asking for more time before approving, whereas the Czech Republic has proposed that the conclusions shouldn’t be adopted.
At this point, it is unclear what are the options of the member countries as regards the conclusions. The German presidency has until December 31 to find a solution.
