EP adopts report on North Macedonia’s progress towards EU accession

The European Parliament (EP) rejected the third controversial amendment seeking to remove paragraph 73 from the 2025 progress report on North Macedonia’s EU integration.

Paragraph 73 urges the Joint Multidisciplinary Expert Commission on Historical and Educational Issues between Bulgaria and North Macedonia to produce clear and tangible results, based on objective, authentic and proven historical sources and documents, in line with the provisions of the Second Protocol of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation. The document also retains the wording on the shared history of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The resolution was adopted with 411 votes in favour, 120 against, and 120 abstentions.

• Sofia on alert over attempt to remove key text from EU report on North Macedonia

• Bulgarian MEPs stay united against North Macedonian provocations

The EP expressed regret over Skopje’s lack of progress, particularly on the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption. It stressed that, in order to begin accession negotiations with the EU, Skopje must include Bulgarians in the country’s constitution.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov