Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian Parliament already has the French proposal on the issue of North Macedonia

Photo: Archive

The French proposal for a decision on the veto imposed by Bulgaria for the start of negotiations of the Republic of North Macedonia for EU membership has been sent to the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly. 

The Bulgarian National Radio has documents in French and English sent by the French Presidency to the Chair of the Foreign Policy Committee, Ventsislava Lyubenova. They note that special attention should be paid to "the protection and non-discrimination of citizens from minority groups and communities in North Macedonia". 
The EU notes the intentions of Bulgaria and North Macedonia to make a unilateral declaration on the Macedonian language.The negotiation framework includes the requirement for good faith implementation of bilateral agreements, including the 2017 Neighborhood Agreement with Bulgaria and the Sofia Declaration of May 2018. 

North Macedonia will have to adopt an Action Plan to protect the rights of minorities, education, the fight against hate speech and discrimination, etc. 

Progress on this issue will be monitored by the Commission, which will report to the Council.

Earlier today, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi noted in Brussels that negotiations to lift Bulgaria's veto over North Macedonia are deadlocked and that at this stage we cannot talk about any negotiating framework at all. He also pointed out that the domestic policy in Bulgaria could undermine the trust in the EU.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Morning temperatures will be around zero, sunny and warm Saturday expected

On Saturday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from minus 2 to 3°C. In Sofia it will be around 0°C. During the day it will be sunny with scattered high clouds.  Highs tomorrow will be between 14 and 19°C, in the capital - around 15°C...

published on 3/21/25 7:15 PM

Agriculture minister promises to protect farmers

“We are protecting farmers and the public interest. In drafting this bill we are guided solely by this aim,” said Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov at a meeting with representatives of chain stores in this country and consumer..

published on 3/21/25 6:22 PM
Chief commissioner Lyubmir Nikolov

Two brothers apprehended for abducting two people

Two brothers, members of an organized crime group busted a few years ago, have been detained for abducting two men. The  kidnappers and the persons considered missing are thought to be connected with 160 kgs. of cocaine missing in Sofia...

published on 3/21/25 5:11 PM