The European Parliament’s rapporteur on North Macedonia, Thomas Waitz, has tabled amendments to his latest draft report that call into question key elements of the bilateral framework underpinning Skopje’s EU accession process, triggering a sharp response from Bulgarian MEPs.
In amendment 108, submitted on behalf of the Greens group, Waitz proposes that the European Parliament should urge the Council’s legal service to “urgently clarify all ambiguities” surrounding the legal status of the second bilateral protocol to the Friendship Treaty between Bulgaria and North Macedonia in the context of the accession process.
The protocol forms an integral part of the EU’s negotiating framework. It explicitly stipulates that the next intergovernmental conference – marking the end of the opening phase of accession talks – can only take place once North Macedonia amends its constitution to include Bulgarians. The document was adopted during the second meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission under Article 12 of the bilateral treaty, held in Sofia on 17 July 2022.
The move comes amid sustained criticism of the protocol by the government of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, both of whom have repeatedly questioned its legitimacy. Last year, former MP Liljana Popovska initiated legal proceedings challenging the protocol, arguing that it contradicts the constitution, has an improper legal form, and touches on identity-related issues. The Constitutional Court accepted the case for review.
At the same time, Waitz has previously underlined that constitutional changes remain a non-negotiable requirement. In an interview on 5 March, he stated that without fulfilling these criteria “there will be no progress” on EU accession, stressing that there has been “very clear communication” to the North Macedonian government on the issue.
Beyond the protocol, other amendments tabled by Waitz point to a broader attempt to reshape how enlargement decisions are taken. In amendment 124, he calls for strengthening the EU’s capacity to act by introducing partial qualified majority voting in areas related to the accession process, including removing unanimity requirements at intermediate stages such as the opening and closing of negotiation clusters and chapters. He argues that excessive reliance on unanimity has repeatedly delayed enlargement and undermined public support for EU integration.
In amendment 111, Waitz proposes that the Parliament call on the Council and the Commission to fully support North Macedonia, including through active diplomatic engagement, to help the country deliver on its commitments and overcome existing obstacles.
Another proposal, amendment 130, suggests that bilateral disputes between countries should be resolved through open dialogue and genuine cooperation outside the accession process. It also calls on the Council to prevent bilateral issues unrelated to the Copenhagen criteria from blocking progress.
In amendment 214, Waitz highlights the obligation of all Council of Europe members – including EU member states and candidate countries, to implement outstanding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in a timely manner. He adds that any legislative changes must comply with international standards, as well as recommendations from the Venice Commission and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance.
Bulgarian MEP accuses European Parliament rapporteur of bias in North Macedonia report
Although member states are not explicitly named, the wording is widely seen as referring to Bulgaria and a group of cases related to OMO “Ilinden” before the Strasbourg court. Critics argue that it is inappropriate for a rapporteur to impose obligations on an EU member state or assess it within a report on a candidate country, warning that such language mirrors narratives coming from Skopje while calling into question already agreed elements of the negotiating framework.
The initial draft of the report was presented in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on 26 February. Negotiations among political groups are expected to continue through March and April, followed by a committee vote in May and a plenary vote before the summer recess.
Bulgarian MEPs have meanwhile tabled a series of counter-amendments emphasising the binding nature of the existing conditions.
Andrey Kovatchev, in amendment 30, recalls that North Macedonia’s government has already accepted the condition that the next intergovernmental conference will only take place after constitutional changes, including the inclusion of Bulgarians.
In amendment 110, Kovatchev, Andrey Novakov, Nikola Minchev and Ivaylo Valchev stress that tangible results and the good-faith implementation of all commitments, including the treaty with Bulgaria and its protocols, remain essential for progress.
Further amendments reiterate that the enlargement process depends on compliance with the negotiating framework, good neighbourly relations and respect for international and bilateral agreements, including both the Bulgaria treaty and the Prespa Agreement with Greece.
Other proposals highlight the need to resume the work of the joint intergovernmental commission, which has not met since July 2022, and to deliver concrete results within the joint historical commission based on objective historical sources, as stipulated in the second protocol.
Concerns are also raised about hate speech against Bulgarians, including in public spaces and educational materials, as well as reported cases of alterations to historical monuments and inscriptions, pointing to a lack of implementation of commitments undertaken under the protocol.
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Caption: 12.02.2026. MEP Thomas Waitz during EP Plenary Session – Recommendation to the Council on EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women./Alexis HAULOT/EP
Updated: March 18, 2026 – 17:01