Skopje, 29 January 2023 (MIA) – There are external factors that don’t want Bulgaria and North Macedonia to have good relations. These are the people who don’t want North Macedonia to be part of the European Union. These are the people who don’t want our country to have influence because imposing a veto means that Bulgaria has no friends in the Balkans and in the EU, MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk told BTV.  

Kyuchyuk pointed out it is necessary to insist on the rule of law and high democratic standards in North Macedonia.  

“Until the rights of the people who consider themselves Bulgarians are not recognized, the tension will continue,” said Kyuchyuk.  

It is necessary, he added, to encourage all attempts to reduce tension, and this applies not only to the Bulgarian state, but also to Skopje. A solution to the problems should be found.  

He pointed out that Bulgaria has been in the European Union for almost 17 years but, he noted, it still cannot join the bloc on important issues, including the provision of military aid to Ukraine and key EU reforms.  

“Our country is always 27th and we never propose initiatives, we don’t participate in blocs, we don’t come up with proposals to the European Parliament,” Kyuchyuk says.