Bulgaria’s position remains unchanged as it refuses to lift its veto on the start of EU membership talks with North Macedonia, the foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.
This was announced in response to media reports following talks between Bulgarian foreign minister Teodora Genchovska and her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday (11 April), which stated that the government is trying to quietly lift the veto.
Genchovska commented that the EU’s enlargement to Western Balkan countries remains a priority of Bulgarian foreign policy, but the merits of each candidate country are of key importance.
“Regarding the start of negotiations for the EU membership of the Republic of North Macedonia, it is crucial for Bulgaria to achieve irreversible results in maintaining good neighbourly relations and obtaining clear guarantees within the EU negotiation process for further implementation of The Neighbourhood Agreement. We expect constitutional guarantees for the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia,” Genchovska commented.
Earlier in the day, Baerbock expressed hope that Bulgaria would clear up disputed points with Skopje by the middle of the year. She said that Ukraine and other countries have long seen their future in the EU and the promise to them will be fulfilled.
Baerbock was quoted as saying that she had a conversation with Genchovska, and an “assent” was reached that it was important in the current situation to start this enlargement process.
Last week, North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said there were no secret talks with Bulgaria
