If the Republic of North Macedonia acknowledges the Bulgarian roots of its nation and language, this would put an end to the tension in our relationship and to the likelihood that Bulgaria may veto the formal launch of the EU accession talks, Bulgaria’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva said for Reuters.

 Minister Zaharieva once again pointed out that Bulgaria is not disputing the right for self-determination of its neighboring country, neither their right to call their language what they like. “We are ready to re-confirm the current realities, but they have to acknowledge the historical truth”, Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zaharieva underlined and added that Bulgaria’s concerns come from North Macedonia’s never-ending claims for  a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria. Reuters agency reminded the words of North Macedonia’s Premier Zoran Zaev that the identity and the language of his country cannot be disputed.