Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said Sofia remains firmly committed to the framework agreed with North Macedonia in 2022 and warned that Skopje should focus on meeting its obligations instead of deepening political tensions with Bulgaria.
Speaking to Bulgarian National Television, Petrova stressed that the issue is not a bilateral dispute, but part of North Macedonia’s obligations as a candidate for European Union membership. “This is not about bilateral issues, but about relations between a candidate country and the European Union,” she said.
According to the foreign minister, Bulgaria continues to maintain what she described as a constructive and positive tone in communication, although she expressed disappointment with the political approach coming from Skopje. “I hope to find the political maturity on the other side to try to approach it in this way. I often do not see it,” Petrova stated.
She emphasized that Bulgaria’s position has not changed since the adoption of the so-called French proposal in 2022, which laid out the framework for North Macedonia’s EU path. Petrova described the agreement as a European rather than purely Bulgarian position and called it one of the major diplomatic achievements of that period.
The minister noted that she personally took part in the negotiations at the time and said it was disappointing that little progress had been achieved several years later. “It is sad that I am returning to the government four years later and there is no progress on this issue,” she commented.
Petrova also urged the authorities in Skopje to use what she called the current opportunity for EU enlargement instead of entering into confrontation with Sofia. “I hope that Skopje will find an approach that focuses attention on fulfilling its commitments, and not on seeking conflict with Sofia,” she said.
She added that there is broad political consensus in Bulgaria regarding North Macedonia’s European integration process and the conditions tied to it. “There is complete unity both in the government and in the entire political class in Bulgaria on this issue,” Petrova said.
Her remarks come amid renewed friction between the two neighboring countries after officials in North Macedonia reiterated that constitutional amendments involving the inclusion of Bulgarians would not move forward without domestic political consensus.