There is a chance to make progress on Bulgaria’s veto on neighbouring North Macedonia’s EU accession talks, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said following a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, who confirmed that Sofia would only lift its veto if Skopje fulfils its proposed requirements.
Scholz visited Bulgaria on Saturday (11 June) for the first time as the new head of the German government. After meeting with Petkov, the chancellor said the Western Balkans must have a secure European perspective, but added that North Macedonia must meet the conditions. According to him, there is a great common understanding in the EU about what the outcome of the negotiations should be, the problem is how this result would be reached.
Just before the break-up of Bulgaria’s ruling coalition in the middle of the last week, there were high hopes for a breakthrough in negotiations between Sofia and Skopje. The two countries and the French Presidency negotiated with the EU to guarantee that Bulgaria’s demands would be met before the closure of any negotiating chapter of North Macedonia.
The ex-showman and leader of one of the parties in the coalition ITN – Slavi Trifonov’s decision to break up the coalition put an end to all this. ITN had the foreign minister in the coalition but Trifonov claimed that the prime minister was playing a double game and was promising to lift the veto.
Scholz’s visit to Sofia happened at the start of another political crisis in Bulgaria.
“Bulgaria’s position at this stage is that the veto on the start of negotiations for EU membership in North Macedonia can be lifted only if Skopje gives guarantees that it will implement the Neighborhood Agreement and include Bulgarians as one of the state-building nations in its constitution,” Petkov told Scholz.
The German chancellor said that he strongly supported an agreement on the start of EU accession talks between North Macedonia and Albania. However, he acknowledged that lifting the veto by the end of June, would be very difficult.
“Germany understands that it is not easy to overcome historical differences between neighbouring countries, but our experience shows that it is enriching for all when the mistrust is overcome and friendly relations with neighbours are built. I therefore strongly support the agreement to start EU accession negotiations between the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania. I think there is a chance to make progress,” Scholz said.
He explained that discussions would continue until the very end of the French presidency and he hoped for some progress. “I am convinced that together we Europeans are responsible for the EU and for the stability of the Balkans. It is important that we use the enlargement process now for the benefit of Europe,” Scholz said.
Prior to that, Scholz was in Skopje, where he reaffirmed his support for North Macedonia. However, Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said he was sceptical that Sofia would change its position. “One of the preconditions for successful negotiations is that the parties negotiating have confidence in the process. We are the country that wants a solution. Bulgaria must also be prepared to do so. By the way, there is a big difference between us and Bulgaria,” Kovachevski said.
Kovachevski’s government does not have a majority to change the Macedonian constitution and include Bulgarians in it. This depends on VMRO-DPMNE, which opposes the implementation of Bulgaria’s demands.
