Iotova: Without Bulgarians in the constitution, there is no progress for Macedonia towards the EU
Express newspaper
14/02/2026 11:50
The acting President of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, stated that Sofia is concerned by information that North Macedonia is considering alternative ways to open other chapters in membership negotiations with the European Union, instead of starting with the first cluster related to human rights.
According to her, it is precisely the first cluster that constitutes the basis of the entire negotiation process and Bulgaria will not accept its bypassing or postponement.
“”North Macedonia should not be fooled into thinking it has a shorter path; by June, the issue of whether it still wants to be part of the EU must be resolved.”, declared Iotova.
As part of the Munich Security Conference, she met with the President of the European Council, António Costa, with whom she discussed the enlargement of the European Union, developments in the Western Balkans, and the Bulgarian position regarding North Macedonia’s European integration process.
Iotova reiterated that without changes to the Constitution of North Macedonia and without the inclusion of Bulgarians as part of the peoples in the state, there will be no progress in the European integration process. According to her, these conditions are in line with European criteria and are part of the agreed framework.
She stressed that by June, with the engagement of Bulgaria and European partners, a solution must be found if North Macedonia wants to continue on the path towards membership in the European Union.
Finally, Iotova added that Bulgaria will continue to strongly defend its national interests within European institutions and in NATO, emphasizing that Europe must take greater responsibility for the security and future of the region, especially considering Bulgaria’s role as the EU’s external border.