North Macedonia‘s EU Minister Urges Bulgaria to Support, Not Block, Country’s EU Bid
North Macedonia’s Minister of European Affairs, Orhan Murtezanli, has urged Bulgaria to support, not hinder, his country’s bid to join the European Union. Speaking to MIA, Murtezanli stressed the importance of protecting the accession process from "bilateralization," warning that this trend is becoming increasingly problematic not just for candidate countries but for the EU itself.
"Bilateralization of the accession process is not only creating issues for candidate countries but is increasingly becoming a serious problem for the EU, especially now that Doors for Montenegro are closing, with Croatia announcing a blockade," Murtezanli said.
He acknowledge that EU member states and institutions are aware of these challenges and are paying close attention to the arguments presented. "We have repeatedly argued, together with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, that we have fulfilled our constitutional obligations and have the political will to continue doing so, but we must protect the process from further bilateralization," Murtezanli added.
The Minister emphasized that the accession process should not hinge on "certain historical events from the 11th, 12th, or 13th century," but rather on reforms and adhering to EU standards. He noted that the EU in Brussels understands this and offers support not just for North Macedonia’s case, but for EU accession at large.
Murtezanli expressed hope that bilateral initiatives with Bulgaria would eventually lead to a stable government with whom North Macedonia could negotiate effectively. He reminded that the Treaty of Good Neighbourliness and Friendship obliges Bulgaria to support, not obstruct, North Macedonia’s EU aspirations.
