North Macedonia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zoran Dimitrovski, has declared that the inclusion of Bulgarians in the country’s constitution is contingent upon receiving specific guarantees from Bulgaria. Speaking from the parliamentary rostrum in Skopje, Dimitrovski stated that such a move will only occur if identity and bilateral issues are no longer used to block or veto North Macedonia’s path toward European integration.
Demands for Reciprocity and Rights
A central pillar of Dimitrovski’s position is the demand for reciprocity regarding the rights of Macedonians living in Bulgaria. He highlighted that Macedonian organizations in Bulgaria are currently unable to register, even as non-governmental organizations, despite existing decisions in Strasbourg.
Dimitrovski criticized the lack of “elementary reciprocity,” arguing that while North Macedonia is asked to recognize Bulgarians in its constitution, there is a refusal to acknowledge the rights or existence of the Macedonian ethnic community in Bulgaria.
Domestic Opposition and the Need for Consensus
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the current approach to identity concessions is widely unpopular. He claimed that 80% of Macedonian citizens and 70% of the general population find these concessions unacceptable.
Dimitrovski argued that a national consensus among political parties is essential for progress. He noted that diplomats have indicated that the opposition would likely fulfill protocols and agreements with Bulgaria if a two-thirds parliamentary majority were achieved.
Criticism of Previous Protocols
Dimitrovski voiced sharp criticism of previous agreements, describing some protocols as having been “passed in the dark.” He claimed these documents lacked parliamentary support and were only signed by the former foreign ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
He specifically objected to the integration of historical and identity issues into the EU negotiation framework. This includes the use of the historical commission’s results and the Bulgarian narrative regarding revolutionary figures, such as Goce Delchev, as criteria for European integration.
Potential Next Steps
Future progress may depend on the initiation of a dialogue with the new government in Bulgaria. While Dimitrovski expressed hope that European partners and neighbors will reach a mutual understanding, he noted that no specific deadlines can be promised at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions must be met before Bulgarians are included in the constitution?
North Macedonia requires guarantees that identity and bilateral issues will not be used to veto its EU integration, and that reciprocity is provided for the rights of Macedonians in Bulgaria.
Why does the North Macedonian government believe a national consensus is necessary?
The government argues that high percentages of the population (80% of Macedonians and 70% of all citizens) find identity concessions unacceptable, and a two-thirds majority in parliament is needed to ensure the opposition will fulfill agreements.
What specific historical grievances were mentioned?
The Deputy Minister criticized the use of Sofia’s historical narrative regarding revolutionary figures like Goce Delchev as a criterion for North Macedonia’s EU integration.
Do you believe that reciprocal rights for ethnic minorities are a fair prerequisite for constitutional changes in diplomatic disputes?
