“For the first time, MEPs will be presented with a report in which the centuries-old, independent Macedonian identity and language are mentioned in several places. I expect the MEPs to unanimously adopt this report, which affirms the unique centuries-old Macedonian identity and the Macedonian language.”

This was stated the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, in response to a BGNES publication on the topic dated May 27. He emphasized that this document did not appear out of nowhere, but is the result of Skopje’s efforts over the past 10–11 months, nearly a year.

“Unfortunately, I must say that, once again, different comments and voices are coming from the East (Bulgaria), but let’s see how this whole matter concludes. I recently spoke about unity when we celebrated the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and at that time, when I called for unity, I specifically meant this kind of unity—beyond our daily politics and our everyday political differences. I call on all political players in the country to unite and begin, starting today, to support their sister parties that have MEPs in the European Parliament. I know that the opposition SDSM is part of such a political family, and I urge them to begin contacting their sister parties today. The same goes for LDP, and today, we as a political party will hold a meeting and prepare a strategy accordingly,” said the Prime Minister of North Macedonia.

Mickoski announced that rulling party VMRO-DPMNE will send representatives to Brussels “to continue the discussions with MEPs and to emphasize the need to adopt this resolution.”

“I want to reiterate once again that the distinct Macedonian language is a fact, and anyone who denies or refuses to accept this reality is anti-NATO and anti-EU. Therefore, any member state or MEP who does not support this resolution is, above all, anti-EU and in contradiction with the European values defined long ago by Adenauer, Schuman, and De Gasperi,” Mickoski added.

The debate in the European Parliament is scheduled for June 4, with the vote expected in July.

BGNES reminds that the Green Party of the EP rapporteur on North Macedonia, Thomas Waitz, is a coalition partner with the European Free Alliance (EFA).
EFA represents the interests of minorities seeking regional autonomy, self-government, or independence within the EU. Among EFA members are the banned Bulgarian party OMO “Ilinden” – PIRIN and the Macedonian Alliance for European Integration (MAEI) in Albania. MAEI denies the existence of Bulgarians in Albania, despite the latest national census showing over 7,000 Albanians identifying as Bulgarians.

The Constitutional Court of Bulgaria declared OMO “Ilinden” – PIRIN unconstitutional, stating that “its goals are directed against the unity of the Bulgarian nation, the sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of the country.” The court’s reasoning mentions that the ultimate goal of OMO “Ilinden” – PIRIN is “to create an independent Macedonian state by seceding Pirin Macedonia from Bulgaria.”

The chairman of MAEI in Albania, Vasil Sterjovski, firmly denies the existence of a Bulgarian minority in Albania. He claims that “Bulgarians in Albania exist only in the Bulgarian embassy,” emphasizing that the Macedonian community in the country has no cultural, linguistic, or historical connection with Bulgaria.

OMO “Ilinden” – PIRIN and MAEI are coalition partners of the Green Party, to which EP rapporteur Thomas Waitz belongs. | BGNES