The Bulgarian Foreign Minister has personally spoken with his Austrian counterpart regarding the negotiation process is the start of negotiations on North Macedonia with the EU. Georgiev received the personal assurance that on there will be no change in Austria's position on Skopje's negotiating framework for starting membership talks.

This was announced personally by Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev to BNT.

Asked whether Bulgaria "will be let in" in exchange for "letting in" of North Macedonia itself for EU membership negotiations, Minister Georgiev said the following: 

I believe claiming that your country has traded something in exchange for something else, to the detriment of the national interest, is extremely serious. I would like to hear from the former MEP in question (who spread the allegations of a 'swap', ed.) on what basis he bases his versions. Because again on Thursday I presented in great detail to my colleagues in the National Assembly what the state has done in terms of the European integration of the Western Balkans, and specifically for North Macedonia. There is no, and I am saying this, that there has been no conversation, direction or action that could have been taken in the direction of defending our vision for the integration of the Western Balkans, and specifically with regard to Skopje, that has not been done. If other governments have had a historical responsibility in that North Macedonia is not currently best oriented in the direction of Bulgaria, then they should admit it. Because for a very long time we have failed to communicate our position on this issue properly," the minister added.

“I cannot answer the question whether Skopje is looking for support from Austria to circumvent the French proposal - they are probably looking for such support, whether they will find it is another question. Our role in this case is to make sure that the EU continues to stick to the European consensus. I have spoken to my Austrian counterpart and I assure him that there is not an inch of retreat from what North Macedonia needs to do - to change its Constitution, and to meet the criteria that have been set. What claims the other side is spreading to please itself is a separate issue”, Georgiev added.

There is only one plan - there is no Plan B - implementation of the agreements, change of the Constitution. No country got its EU membership for free - we all paid a price, and we all adhered to the negotiating framework. I am sure that the EU itself will not allow its position to be questioned by some circumvention of the rules, the minister explained. | BGNES