Sofia, 2 September 2023 (MIA) - Bulgaria has a very clear position towards the Republic of North Macedonia - it is important that they fulfill their commitments agreed upon in July 2022, said Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel.

"Bulgaria will continue to defend its position very clearly, to reiterate that we stand behind the fulfillment of all conditions related to the July 2022 compromise, to clearly oppose attempts at false information and disinformation that Bulgaria has new conditions and in the meantime we will clearly assert our language, culture and identity," Gabriel said in response to an MP's question in the Bulgarian Assembly. 

She told the MPs that in this case the National Assembly of Bulgaria can continue to be very useful, adding that it is not within the competence of any legislative body to pronounce on such topics. 

"We want to show very clearly to North Macedonia that only when you fulfill the commitments that you yourself agreed to fulfill, then European integration will become more than a dream," Gabriel noted.

Asked about the resolution submitted to the United States Senate on designating September 2023 as Macedonian American Heritage Month in the United States, she said that the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry will do everything possible to ensure that the resolution does not pass.

Gabriel noted that from day one, Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has been aware of the motion for a resolution, and the Ambassador and Consul General have been very active and already held talks with the team of the senator who introduced the resolution. "There is a procedure that has started, I assure you that we will do everything possible to prevent this resolution from being passed," she added. 

In July 2023, Republican Senator Mike Braun submitted a resolution to the United States Senate on designating September 2023 as “Macedonian American Heritage Month”, celebrating the Macedonian language, history, and culture. 

The resolution, introduced by Braun, the only senator who is a member of the Friends of Macedonia and Macedonian Americans Committee in the U.S. Congress, must first be approved by the Judiciary Committee before the Senate can vote on it.

Meanwhile, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed September 2023 as Macedonian American Heritage Month. According to Whitmer, it is important to highlight the contributions and cultural impact of Macedonian Americans in the United States.

"September holds significance for Macedonian Americans as it marks the anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia, symbolizing the country's journey towards sovereignty and its enduring ties to the Macedonian American community," reads the Governor's statement.  

Americans of Macedonian descent, it adds, have contributed to the fabric of American culture through their involvement in business, sport, art, politics, medicine, law, culture, the culinary arts, and countless other fields.