mk flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by MIA.

Rokas: There is intense diplomatic activity to resolve the issue with Bulgaria

by AI | 12.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

There is intense diplomatic activity to resolve this issue, high EU representatives will visit Skopje in the next two to three months and I hope that we will be able to move forward, said Rokas.

Flags of North Macedonia, EU, and Bulgaria. Photo: MIA

Resen – There is intensive diplomatic activity to resolve the issue with Bulgaria and in this regard, European Union leaders will visit Skopje in the coming months, said Euro Ambassador Michalis Rokas after laying the cornerstone of the Macedonian-Greek border crossing “Markova Noga”.

– At the EU level, we are working hard in close cooperation with the Government of North Macedonia to overcome all remaining issues before opening the negotiations. There is intensive diplomatic activity to resolve this issue, high representatives of the EU will visit Skopje in the next two to three months and I hope we can move forward, said Rokas in response to a journalist’s question about the EU’s mood for signing a statement by the European Council, European Commission, or the Bulgarian side that the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution will be solely a bilateral issue on our path to the EU.

At the same time, Rokas added, while working on resolving this issue, efforts must continue to implement the reforms found in the Reform Agenda, adopted in accordance with the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. 

To the same journalist question, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he had heard many statements so far, but that actions must be seen.

– I remember when high representatives of the EU, accompanied by high representatives of other countries in the world, sat in front of me and told me that the name is the last thing you need to do. Of course, we were against it then, but even then I told them that they were not telling the truth and that it was not the last thing. We need to see actions, and actions, in my opinion, are the recognition of the judgments from the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg for the Macedonian community in Bulgaria. Clear and unequivocal recognition of the centuries-old Macedonian identity and clear and unequivocal recognition of the centuries-old Macedonian culture, tradition, customs, and clear and unequivocal recognition of the Macedonian language, which has been an official language at the UN since 1945. We must respect the principles, otherwise we have a serious problem, said Mickoski. (March 12)