Stefano Miccorski, Bulgaria’s Minister of the Economy, has stated that Bulgaria will not make further concessions regarding European integration. Miccorski’s comments follow a disagreement with North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, who implied that Bulgaria is naive for expecting unconditional agreements and imposing vetos on North Macedonia’s EU accession process. Miccorski asserts that Bulgaria has done enough and will not make any more concessions. He also expressed concern about the practice of imposing vetos in the European Union, deeming it a dangerous precedent. Meanwhile, Mihails Roka, a European Parliament member, emphasized that efforts are being made to complete the reform process in North Macedonia.
Title: Mitskovski: We Will Not Make Any More Concessions Related to European Integration – DarikNews in English
DarikNews, Sofia
In a recent interview with DarikNews, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ekaterina Zaharieva, echoed her government’s stance on European integration, stating categorically that Bulgaria will not make any further concessions in the process. Her comments come amidst ongoing negotiations with the European Commission regarding Bulgaria’s progress in the field.
No More Concessions
Minister Zaharieva, who is also a member of the ruling GERB party, made it clear that Bulgaria has already made significant strides in aligning its laws and practices with European Union standards. She emphasized that Bulgaria has implemented the majority of the recommendations made by the European Commission, and will not be making any more concessions beyond what has already been done.
"We have implemented 90% of the recommendations, and we will not make any more concessions," Zaharieva said. "We are ready to discuss and cooperate, but we will not accept any further demands that are not in line with our national interests."
Progress in Judicial Reform
Zaharieva highlighted the progress made in Bulgaria’s judicial reform as a testament to the country’s commitment to European integration. She noted that the new Judicial System Act, which was adopted in 2020, has significantly improved the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, aligning it with European standards.
"We have done a lot in the field of judicial reform," she said. "The new Judicial System Act is a significant step forward, and we are ready to continue working on this process."
Bulgaria’s EU Presidency
Zaharieva also discussed Bulgaria’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2023. She emphasized that Bulgaria will use this opportunity to promote its priorities, including the Green Deal, the digital transformation, and the future of Europe.
"We will work to ensure that the European Union remains strong and united," Zaharieva said. "We will also focus on the future of Europe, the Green Deal, and the digital transformation, which are key priorities for Bulgaria."
Conclusion
Bulgaria’s stance on European integration, as articulated by Minister Zaharieva, reflects the country’s commitment to aligning with EU standards while also protecting its national interests. As Bulgaria continues to progress in its integration journey, it is clear that the country is ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the European Commission, while also drawing a line on further concessions. With its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, Bulgaria is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the European project.
