Northern Macedonia has answered the questions introduced in Bulgaria in the EU-World dispute
Northern Macedonia sent answers to the questions included in Bulgaria. “We have a formula found” that could sustain a “12-by-5” solution to the “solution to the problem” between Sofia and Skopje – before the French elections and the unknown political situation that awaits Northern Macedonia.
This was said especially by the representative of Northern Macedonia for Bulgaria, former Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski, in response to a question from Dnevnik. Buckovski was one of the panelists during an event organized by MEP Ilhan Küçük (MRF / Renew Europe) Sofia Forum for the Western Balkans, during which you have an address and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhei.
The former prime minister was asked by Dnevnik whether Northern Macedonia currently has concrete proposals on the five points constituting some of the last months, such as a “5 + 1” crisis resolution plan backed by the caretaker government and President Rumen Radev, but there was no exact answer the question for the separate sixth.
“Pette” is: how the short name of Northern Macedonia will be used; guarantee of non-interference in the internal affairs of the other state; overcoming the word of hatred towards Bulgaria and the Bulgarians; rehabilitation of the victims of communism with Bulgarian self-consciousness in Yugoslav times; moving the work of the historical commission.
Point +1 is related to the introduction of conditions for equal rights for self-identified Bulgarians in Northern Macedonia (which in the statements of Radev and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recent months received a form for registration of Bulgarians in the Macedonian constitution).
Read more about these ideas and the change in Bulgaria’s approach here.
What Buckovski said
The question of Dnevnik whether Macedonian proposals were made – a week before the low councils on December 14th in Skopje – still hopes Sofia will lift the veto on starting negotiations with the union – after Buckovski’s comment on each of the points.
“Let me repeat that Northern Macedonia has neither had nor will have any claims and will be confirmed by a diplomatic note,” Buckovski began. “We do not intend to interfere in the internal affairs of Bulgaria. We intend to fight hate speech, which brings even more damage after the veto,” he continued, reaching the third point used.
“In 2006, we apologized to all the victims of communism, but we will need concrete cases and concrete rehabilitation. The fifth point is that we will try not to interfere with historians,” as they ask to build bridges for the future. common history and personalities, Buckovski added.
Explicit commitment is not only to the last (+1) point. for which the ensuing discussion showed that it has not yet received an unequivocal answer. “We respect the sixth point very much,” and the demands of the Bulgarians from Northern Macedonia, who have the representatives of the meetings with Radev, are “legitimate”, he continued.
This is also the most delicate point, as far as the main idea is its implementation, it is added to the Bulgarians to other communities, the constitution should be changed for what should be important by two thirds of the parliament. This cannot be ensured without the positional VMRO-DPMNE, and it links its support to the reciprocal recognition of the “Macedonian minority” in Bulgaria.
“I think we have reached a point where there is very little left to achieve the common goal.”
In the person of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Northern Macedonia has previously announced that it is ready to fulfill more than the additional requests. Last week, however, Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani announcementsthat Skopje “works intensively” has the opportunity to sign a bilateral protocol containing the points in question “5 + 1” and that it is expected to expect “these days” by sending to Bulgaria. The initial idea will be to distinguish between the steps that need to be implemented in the short term as a guarantee to withdraw the veto, and others, long-term, whose implementation should be tied to a certain time.
Most of the demands found a place in the points of the agreement between the parties negotiating a coalition in Bulgaria. However, they also agreed to maintain the “unified position” that reaches Bulgaria in the direction of Northern Macedonia, and the partner showed during the international policy talks that he is ready to varying degrees to reach a compromise solution to the dispute.
Achieved
Buckovski also noted the success of the last year after Bulgaria vetoed – from co-operation between Macedonian MRI operator and Bulgarian BNT and the upcoming accreditation of a BTA correspondent in Skopje, as MIA has in Sofia, to a second partnership between universities on both sides. countries border (University of Veliko Tarnovo and its branch in St. Nicholas) and agreements to improve infrastructure links.
Comprehensive information and information from tonight that 26 municipalities from Southwestern Bulgaria and Southeastern Northern Macedonia have agreed on a common network for joint action in natural disasters. “That’s what we need, friends. When the fires were this summer, you were the first to help. We’re so close.”