Macedonian provocation towards Bulgaria. A referendum cuts friendship
“The issue of the referendum initiated by VMRO-DPMNE in the Republic of North Macedonia will refer to the friendship treaty concluded with Bulgaria, because this is the root of the problem”, stated after the meeting of the executive committee of VMRO-DPMNE, the chairman of the opposition party Hristiyan Mitskoski.
The question, clarified “after one month of in-depth consultations with experts, professors, lawyers, MPs, coalition partners” will read: “Have you fallen out of the effect of the Law on the Ratification of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation of North Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria, published in the State Gazette of January 18, 2017?”
The wording was sought in such a way as to eliminate the argument that the parliament of North Macedonia has nothing to do with the decision on a referendum, since the ratification of the treaty with Bulgaria takes place in the parliament, Mickoski explained. He specified that at least 100 signatures would be collected in the last week in order to bring the proposal to the legislature and then be approved to start the deadlines for collecting the required 150,000 signatures. The decision of the opposition party is to demand a mandatory referendum in the country.
Mickoski states that VMRO-DPMNE supports the integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into the EU, but does not support the “assimilation, change of historical facts and concealment of identity” that are happening because of the signings in 2017. Treaty of friendship between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia , signed by then Prime Ministers Zoran Zaev and Boyko Borisov.
VMRO-DPMNE will call for a “yes” vote on the issue proposed by them, which essentially means the termination of the agreement with Bulgaria. “He is the source and the beginning of all problems for (Republic of Northern) Macedonia and the foundation on which Bulgaria builds its maximalist demands. Ending this contract will mean an end to demands to change textbooks challenging language, history and culture,” Mickoski said.
“The government and Kovacevski said that historical issues were not the topic of the conversation, but it turned out that they were a condition for negotiations with the EU. People were not asked about it. Macedonia was added to a subordinate position. We gave up on many things, and in return The government should allow people to speak,” Mickoski said.