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Rumen Radev interviewed by EURACTIV: Bulgaria is not an obstacle in the EU enlargement process, progress depends entirely on the Republic of North Macedonia

Bulgaria is not an obstacle in the EU enlargement process, progress in it depends entirely on the RNM. Rather, we uphold the fundamental principles and values of our Union: the protection of human rights and non-discrimination enshrined in the Copenhagen membership criteria, as well as good neighbourly relations. This is what President Rumen Radev said on Thursday in an interview for EURACTIV.

The Head of State pointed out that Bulgaria, taking into account the great importance of the European perspective for the Western Balkans, has always been a driver of the European integration process for the countries in the region. It is true that we have special relations with the RNM, we are much more than neighbours and friends. People on both sides of the border are connected by our common history and culture, and the winds of historical events have separated many families, Rumen Radev stressed. This is why Bulgaria was the first country to recognise the independence of the RNM in 1992 and to provide support in difficult times to our south-western neighbour: in instances of economic and political isolation, regional and internal conflicts, refugee crises and natural disasters. For this reason, Bulgaria also unconditionally supported the accession of the RNM to NATO.

These facts are well known and that is why some of our partners do not understand why we continue to refrain from saying our 'yes' to the start of the RNM negotiations, Rumen Radev pointed out. 

In his words, an easy explanation for this country's refusal to open the door to the negotiation process for the RNM is the non-implementation of the bilateral Treaty on Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation of 2017. The Head of State pointed out that four years ago this Treaty was perceived as a means to resolving the complicated bilateral relations with Bulgaria's south-western neighbour, similar to the Prespa Agreement concluded later between the RNM and Greece. Today the situation is even worse and we are witnessing a retreat from almost every clause of our treaty, Rumen Radev noted. That is why Bulgaria insists on including the implementation of these two treaties as part of the process of our south-western neighbour's accession to the EU. 

The President also pointed out that over the past four years the hate speech of the RNM towards Bulgaria has become more intense and we do not see the political will to remove the insulting qualifications for this country in textbooks and in the media, as well as to stop the falsifications and destruction of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage in this part of our region.

Our most serious concern, however, is that the RNM does not follow the founding principles of the European Union, nor does it fulfil the Copenhagen membership criteria. The discriminatory treatment of Macedonian Bulgarians has been going on for decades and this must stop, the President further stressed. Today, 120,000 citizens of the RNM also have Bulgarian citizenship, which means that they are also EU citizens, Rumen Radev added.

Bulgarians in the RNM should be equal to other constitutionally recognised 'parts of peoples' in that country. Full equality and their rights should be guaranteed in that country's constitution and 'institutional architecture' before we open the door for negotiations, the President said, adding that this is a matter of principle that is not negotiable.

The headway in the European integration of the RNM is not determined by deadlines but by results. And how long this process will last depends only on the candidate country, the President specified. As an example, Rumen Radev mentioned that in just six months the RNM implemented the Prespa agreement, adopted substantial amendments to its constitution and changed its name. We do not understand why it is so difficult to add a single word 'Bulgarians', on a par with the other parts of peoples listed in the RNM constitution, Rumen Radev wondered.

Who could be against the inclusion of the Bulgarians, on an 'equal footing' with the Macedonians, Albanians, Serbs, Turks and all the rest? I heard the argument, the President said, that it would not be possible to get a two-thirds majority in parliament. But why? Can someone explain the problem, since each candidate country has to demonstrate commitment to the accession process with all its institutions? Radev stressed again that without constitutional and all other guarantees for the equality of the Bulgarians in the RNM, the door cannot be opened. For faster progress, the President called on the state leadership of Bulgaria's south-western neighbour for commitment and political will to make bold decisions and take specific steps. 

The President said further that attempts to exert external pressure on Bulgaria to accelerate the European integration of the RNM are not a workable approach and our European partners should rather encourage the candidate country to undertake the necessary reforms to achieve the EU membership criteria. 

Rumen Radev also expressed his optimism that the new Bulgarian parliament and government will continue to support the RNM in carrying out the necessary reforms on its European integration path.  The Head of State said he is ready to convene the Consultative Council for National Security, as the highest political body of this country, to make recommendations for intensifying bilateral relations with the RNM, including for initiating and conducting a structured parliamentary dialogue between the two countries. This will support our south-western neighbour's efforts to make progress in the European integration process, while strictly fulfilling the Copenhagen membership criteria, the President said in an interview for EURACTIV.