The Republic of North Macedonia itself is blocking its EU membership, Vice President Iliana Iotova told journalists in the village of Ilindentsi (Southwestern Bulgaria), where she is attending the Gods of Wine Festival. “Bulgaria is adamant, - Ms. Iotova said - the country will not greenlight the accession negotiations processuntil Bulgarians get included in North Macedonia’s Constitution with a clear guarantee that their human rights will be observed. Only then will the Republic of North Macedonia have a place in the EU,” she added.

The Vice President also commented on the new distribution of parliamentary mandates, which in her opinion shows how depopulated Bulgaria is. "During these 22 months of instability in Bulgaria we have not mentioned the biggest problem - the demographic crisis. We are failing to bring back active Bulgarians from abroad and a recent survey shows that one in four would emigrate. This is a terrible diagnosis for the country," Iliana Iotova said.