"We would not have received the French proposal, which is the best so far, if Bulgaria had not defended the veto on North Macedonia‘s EU accession talks with a clear position last year. Our European partners already share this position - that the issue of civil rights and their protection cannot be only bilateral, but must be raised at the EU level", Bulgaria’s head of state said.

President Radev stressed that the proposal is based on two important documents - the negotiating framework, which is being developed by the European Union and a bilateral protocol to the framework, which must be negotiated between Skopje and Sofia. The Council of Ministers must not hide behind the National Assembly. It is the leading institution and we expect clear and responsible decisions in this direction.