MEPs call on Skopje to investigate violence against Bulgarians

Four Bulgarian MEPs expressed their positions in the debate on the report on the EU enlargement strategy. The document proposes that the Council's decisions on opening and closing individual negotiation stages and chapters be taken by qualified majority, instead of unanimity, and that final decisions on the accession of new countries be taken unanimously.

Andrey Kovachev called on Skopje to catch up with North Macedonia's lag in European integration and to investigate all cases of violence, pressure and discrimination against citizens declaring Bulgarian identity. Kovachev pointed out that such cases were becoming more frequent and recalled a recent case of vandalism against the Bulgarian Cultural Club in Bitola. Kovachev called for timely, objective and transparent investigations and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

Stanislav Stoyanov said that some countries are making efforts and implementing reforms, while others are trying to cheat. Ivaylo Valchev pointed out that the report disproportionately addresses issues related to Ukraine and ignores the Western Balkan countries.

According to Ilhan Kyuchyuk, “it is absurd to talk about enlargement without talking about reforms within the EU.” The strategy will be voted on at the plenary session on 11 March 2026.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov