Earlier today, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the latest “fabricated theories” of the authorities in Skopje, which are at odds with the spirit of the 2022 European consensus.
The North Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted sharply to Sofia’s position after the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry stated that the question of what language North Macedonia’s expected Plan on the Rights of Communities should be in is an internal matter for the neighboring country, BGNES reports.
Skopje described such statements as “a step backwards” and stressed that a European Union member state is expected to “behave in a manner consistent with European values, including full respect for the linguistic and cultural identity of its neighbors.”
In its response, the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country remains an example at the European level in terms of protecting and promoting the rights of communities. According to the institution, North Macedonia has received recognition from relevant international organizations for its inclusive policies and consistent commitment to equality, and this approach will not be changed. The ministry emphasizes that the state “strictly adheres to European rules and the principle of progress based on merit in the EU enlargement process.”
As a specific argument, Skopje points to the Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Communities, which is being prepared in Macedonian and English with the participation of local and international experts and in close cooperation with the Council of Europe and the European Commission.
“The document contains clear measures, deadlines, and institutional responsibilities and is fully compliant with the highest European and international standards. Work on it will proceed in several stages from 2023, and the final version will be intensively refined in the second half of 2025,” the ministry said.
BGNES recalls that earlier today, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about what it called the latest “fabricated theses” of the authorities in Skopje, which are at odds with the spirit of the 2022 European Consensus.
The official position states that the question of what language the Community Rights Plan will be drafted in is an internal matter for North Macedonia and is not a subject of bilateral relations. The document should be implemented by the institutions of the neighbouring country for its citizens and it is logical that it should be in a language that is accessible to them.
Sofia noted that the choice to present the draft to citizens in English is difficult to explain, especially if its actual implementation is planned.
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry also recalled that the Community Rights Plan is envisaged as a step following the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution of North Macedonia – a process that is still pending and which is key to the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union.
In its statement, Sofia also welcomed the North Macedonian prime minister’s announcement that he would accept all additional comments from the Bulgarian community within the framework of the plan, expressing its expectation that this promise would be fulfilled in practice. | BGNES