Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said on Sunday that it’s becoming more and more evident that Bulgaria will block North Macedonia’s EU accession talks on Tuesday during the EU General Affairs Council meeting.
He added that he still has hope, saying that politicians have great responsibility, and warned that the decision could cause unfavorable consequences.
“I’m ready and have prepared the Macedonian people for a veto, which is becoming more and more likely. However, I never lose hope, because as politicians we bear great responsibility. Although the GAC meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17, we have time until the end of December to hold the first intergovernmental conference,” Zaev old reporters during a visit to the Strumica hospital on Sunday.
He underlined expectations that the Bulgarian side will demonstrate responsibility and friendship.
“Sending a negative message could reflect badly on both sides. We need friendship and a helping hand on our European path,” the PM stressed.
North Macedonia and Bulgaria, he added, held in the past 20 month, 10 meetings related to the implementation of the Friendship Treaty and expressed different opinions.
Stakeholders, Zaev noted, managed to solve issues involving five historical figures and three historical periods.
“Committees held in 20 months 10 sessions. In comparison, activities of similar German-Polish and German-Czech committees showed results 10 years after they were established and met once a year. Moreover, our committee with Greece meets twice a year. The 21st meeting with Bulgarian experts will be held in December. This sends a message that we’re building friendship. It’s easy to make enemies, but it’s European to promote friendly relations and make bold decisions,” Zaev underlined.
He expressed hopes that Bulgaria will also preserve the spirit of friendship.
“If they have any complaints regarding Treaty implementation, Bulgaria will have 130 opportunities throughout opening of 34 chapters to block North Macedonia’s EU accession process,” the PM said.
He expressed conviction that good decisions build friendly relations, while bad ones promote bitterness.
“Our two people should grow closer together not further apart. We share a history, our languages belong to the same group. What we share can’t belong only to one side. Politicians bear a responsibility with every decision they make. If these decisions are good, they will leave a positive mark on history, otherwise they will promote bitterness,” North Macedonia’s Prime Minister notes.
Moreover Zaev underlined, North Macedonia would never veto Bulgaria.
“The Macedonian people are a friendly nation. I often say that the Bulgarians are our brothers and we have to support one another. The Macedonian people would never veto Bulgarians. I know that they don’t want to block us either. Politicians are the ones making the decisions. I understand that Bulgaria is in a difficult position, but it’s up to us politicians to explain the situation and we have to work harder on this,” Zaev said in response to Bulgarian FM Zakharieva’s claims that Bulgaria will block the start of North Macedonia’s EU talks.
