The European Union accession bid of North Macedonia faced a new hurdle due to a dispute with neighbouring EU member Bulgaria, leading to frustration from both the country’s president and prime minister. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski accused the EU of trying to dictate their actions and expressed his reluctance to accept any further delays in membership talks. Reports suggested that the EU was moving ahead with Albania’s accession process independently of North Macedonia’s, leading to concerns about being left behind.
The EU had started membership talks with both Balkan countries in 2022, but North Macedonia’s bid was delayed due to the dispute with Bulgaria over history, language, and culture. The previous government had attempted to break the impasse by accepting a Bulgarian demand to include a reference to a Bulgarian ethnic minority in the constitution, but the current conservative government is unwilling to make changes without Bulgaria’s approval of their EU membership.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova also expressed frustration over the prolonged EU negotiation process, comparing it to waiting for Mr. Godot. The country’s EU path had previously been blocked by Greece over a similar dispute, which was resolved in 2018 when North Macedonia changed its name. The opposition leader blamed Mickoski’s government for the current setback, calling it a disaster for the future of citizens. The situation highlights the complex challenges involved in the EU accession process for countries in the Balkan region.
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