European Commission (EC) spokesperson Ana Pisonero said the EC still hopes that negotiations with North Macedonia will start as soon as possible, but refused to comment on remarks by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva regarding the country’s Yugoslav history, MIA’s Brussels correspondent reports.
Following Zakharieva’s remark that “celebrating Tito” is incompatible with the EU, Pisonero said the EC “doesn’t comment on comments”, and added that “the requirements for joining the EU are quite clear.”
The likely Bulgarian veto at tomorrow’s EU ministerial meeting, which is to adopt the EU’s negotiating framework with North Macedonia, doesn’t discourage the EC.
“Our position is clear. The European Commission is committed to holding the first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible. Everyone is aware that this requires agreement in the Council. It’s impossible to predict, but it’s clear that we encourage both parties to step up efforts to find a solution,” the EC spokesperson told Monday’s press briefing.
She said the EC remains in contact with the German presidency whose goal is to start negotiations with North Macedonia by the year’s end, while it also continues contact with both Skopje and Sofia.
Pisonero refused to comment on Bulgaria’s request to add a chapter to the negotiations with North Macedonia, which would include the Bulgarian demands.
“We don’t comment on individual views of the member states. We need agreement on the text from all member states. The Commission submitted its proposal in July, and it will be published only after there’s agreement in the Council,” Pisonero said.
According to diplomats in Brussels, a new initiative of the German presidency is expected very soon, in the coming days, in order to align the positions of Skopje and Sofia so as the first intergovernmental conference can be held before the end of the German EU presidency, but hopes are low. EU diplomats tell MIA the Bulgarian position is proving to be insurmountable and a delay is possible until after the elections in Bulgaria, which are to be held in March next year.
