North Macedonia frustrated by EU bid delay due to Bulgaria dispute

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, expressed frustration over reports of the country’s EU accession facing a setback due to a dispute with Bulgaria. Mickoski accused the EU of trying to dictate terms and emphasized the urgency of membership talks with the bloc.

EU ambassadors recently discussed advancing Albania’s EU accession process separately from North Macedonia’s, indicating a potential split in their paths. While the European Commission did not confirm this decision, they suggested that the two countries have different timelines.

North Macedonia’s EU aspirations were previously hindered by a disagreement with Bulgaria, which required a constitutional amendment that was not realized due to a lack of parliamentary support. Mickoski’s government now insists on Bulgaria’s approval before making any changes.

The country’s EU journey has encountered obstacles in the past, including a historical dispute with Greece that was resolved in 2018. The opposition has criticized the government for the latest setback, highlighting the impact on future generations.