Sofia expects Skopje to fulfil its commitments to the EU

Bulgaria expects North Macedonia to fulfil the European criteria for EU membership. This was what President Iliana Iotova said at a meeting with President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the press service of the head of state reported. The two spoke within the framework of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in Sofia.

Iotova pointed out that Skopje must fulfil the French proposal signed by the country in 2022, which became a pan-European position for North Macedonia's accession to the EU. She pointed out that these are European criteria for membership, not Bulgarian requirements. In order to start negotiations, Skopje must fulfil its commitments by including Bulgarians in its Constitution. President Iliana Iotova insisted that the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians be respected and that hate speech in North Macedonia be put to an end.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov