North Macedonia’s president and prime minister have both criticized the European Union for creating hurdles in the country’s accession process over a dispute with Bulgaria regarding Balkan history, culture, and language. Reports emerged that North Macedonia’s EU bid hit a new obstacle due to this disagreement. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed frustration, accusing the EU of trying to dictate terms and insisting on not further delaying membership talks with the bloc. EU ambassadors in Brussels have reportedly decided to continue Albania’s accession process separately from North Macedonia’s, raising concerns about the progress of the latter.
The European Commission has not confirmed the separation of the two countries’ negotiating paths but has hinted at different timelines for their accession. North Macedonia’s EU bid was initially delayed by the dispute with Bulgaria, which required an amendment to the country’s constitution to recognize a Bulgarian ethnic minority. While the former government agreed to the demand, Mickoski’s new administration insists on Bulgaria first approving North Macedonia’s EU membership before making any changes to the constitution.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova likened North Macedonia’s EU path to waiting for Godot, emphasizing the long and uncertain journey towards membership. The country had previously faced obstacles with Greece over its name, which was resolved in 2018. Mickoski’s government has been blamed for the new setback by the main opposition party, with concerns raised about the impact on citizens and future generations. Overall, North Macedonia continues to face challenges in its EU accession process, highlighting ongoing disputes within the Balkan region.
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