The Macedonian language and Macedonian identity, which have been imposed as an issue by Bulgaria, should not be a topic of discussion and engagement in Brussels, and this is the only way for North Macedonia to continue to talk on its European future, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Monday.
“Besides being a matter of pride, the Macedonian identity is a matter of facts, science, tradition and national feature of our nation. It isn’t and will never be a subject of negotiations. European values are our guiding light, but protection of identity is also a European value,” said PM Zaev.
He added that North Macedonia has implemented all reforms, their realization is part of several processes at home, and all EU criteria related to the opening of accession negotiations have been met, the Government said in a press release.
PM Zaev, accompanied by Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, urged von der Leyen for EC’s more active involvement in finding a solution and unblocking of the process of North Macedonia’s start of the accession negotiations.
Von der Leyen confirmed that the European Commission would be even more committed to the important process that should not delay the start of North Macedonia’s EU accession talks, noting that both North Macedonia and Albania should start the negotiations without further delay, reads the press release.
