The new U.S. administration will monitor and assist North Macedonia’s EU integration. In that regard, it will also take interest in Bulgaria’s efforts to block Skopje’s EU accession, Vladimir Vladimirov, expert for Balkan issues and coordinator of the PR sector of the party Republicans for Bulgaria, told Bulgaria’s TV+ on Wednesday.

“President Joe Biden is familiar with the situation in Eastern European and the Balkans. One of the interest points of his administration will be strengthening the east and south wings of NATO and EU. It will undoubtedly touch upon the Bulgarian veto for North Macedonia. There will be many diplomatic discussions on the topic, on whether the strategic interests of the region should be held hostage of national political games and on whether Krasimir Karakachanov will manage of secure a spot in the new Parliament,” Vladimirov said.

Donald Trump, the Bulgarian analyst added, ran the U.S. like a corporation, but now, he has been replaced by an experienced politician.

“I think the new U.S. administration will send clearer and stronger signals. This is a crucial moment for North Macedonia, one of the only European countries that signed a strategic partnership agreement with the U.S., which includes military support, even before it joined NATO. One of the interest points of the U.S. will be monitoring and assisting North Macedonia’s EU integration,” he noted.

Regarding regional policy and Sofia and Belgrade’s positions on Skopje, Vladimirov said that North Macedonia is too important for both Serbia and Bulgaria and was undoubtedly a topic of discussion during Serbian FM Nikola Selaković’s visit to Bulgaria.

According to him, Serbia has immense political, economic and military-intelligence influence over North Macedonia.

“It controls major political and economic circles, but it’s focus lies in the Kosovo issue. If Bulgaria rescinds support for Kosovo, it might get assistance from Serbia regarding the dispute with North Macedonia,” the expert concluded.