Gostivar, 21 February 2026 (MIA) - If the country joins the EU as a result of a gradual integration process, which is getting traction in Brussels, then Bulgaria cannot use the power of veto, because the country will formally be part of the Union, under the conditions of that gradual integration, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Saturday.

"Bulgaria will not be able to use the veto because we will be at the table and the country's flag will fly in Brussels, if this process materializes," PM Mickoski told reporters.

According to him, the initiative of gradual integration requires meeting two requirements - common foreign and security policy and rule of law reforms.

"For us, I suppose a third requirement will be valid, the one accepted by the previous authorities, the constitutional amendments," said Mickoski.

The PM said there are two ideas, the first including Ukraine, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania, while the second incorporates other countries of the Western Balkans, plus Moldova.

"We would not have the right to vote or the right to a commissioner, but we can take part in the work of the European Council and institutions in Brussels," said Mickoski.

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