Brussels, 23 June 2025 (MIA) - The European Parliament's report on North Macedonia is not internationally binding, said Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev on Monday.

"We respect the EP and its reports. Every EU candidate-state must respect the requirements set by member-states. Bulgaria's policy in this regard has been consistent - we encourage the enlargement process but it must be based on own merit," FM Georgiev told Bulgarian journalists in Brussels.

Asked about his expectations from tomorrow's vote on the North Macedonia report in the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET), the Bulgarian FM said that the executive should not interfere in the work of the parliament.

"We are ashamed that politicians know the outcome of these reports, including the prediction of developments regarding the issue. Our Members of the European Parliament are very active. We are saying that the EP is not the competent institution for opinions on issues such as identity or language. EU institutions should not be used to instrumentalize one policy or another. No attempt to circumvent the 2022 consensus will be successful, because it will at least face resolute resistance from Bulgaria," added Georgiev.

According to him, no EU country is ready to give up on the agreement that was reached three years ago regarding the content of the Negotiating Framework.

MIA file photo