Skopje, 23 June 2025 (MIA) - The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is to vote on Tuesday on the country’s draft report for 2023 and 2024, prepared by Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz.

The vote was originally scheduled for June 4, but EP rapporteur for the country, MEP Thomas Waitz, proposed that the AFET should postpone voting on the country’s report due to pressure by Bulgarian MEPs who dispute amendments referring to Macedonian identity and language. Waitz said at the time that everyone has witnessed intensive political debates around the report, but stressed he absolutely stands behind the document, noting that all EP groups have been involved in the negotiations and compromises.

“This is a report of the European Parliament and the European Union to the state of accession when it comes to the country of North Macedonia. This report is not intending or is not there to solve bilateral issues between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, still we know that also bilateral relations but also the rule of law, treatment of minorities, communities and so on, is a European issue. However, I would like to ask for a postponement of the vote for this report to June 24,” said Waitz.

The document highlights the need to maintain momentum and credibility of the EU integration process, stressing that the country continues to demonstrate commitment to the EU integration process and alignment with the EU’s policies. The EP "encourages all political parties in North Macedonia to engage in constructive dialogue to achieve the necessary consensus on these amendments, which would strengthen the country’s multi-ethnic character and accelerate its progress towards EU membership," according to the report. Amendments referring to Macedonian language and identity have drawn attention. 

Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Sunday he expects a strong message from the European Parliament for the Macedonian identity and the Macedonian language. 

"In recent days, I’ve received alarming information on a strong activity led by certain politicians in Brussels. We managed to cushion the blow aimed once again at the Macedonian identity and language. However, a huge majority there stands behind our arguments. We will fight against those that had robbed and humiliated the country in the past seven years," said PM Mickoski. 

After receiving the information involving “a strong activity by certain politicians in Brussels”, Mickoski said he had “an organized activity with the foreign minister” and managed to “cushion the blow again aimed at the Macedonian identity and language.”

“I’ve managed to contact everyone in Brussels. I think we managed to cushion that blow, once again aimed at the Macedonian identity and language, using adjectives for more explanation, such as ‘modern’ or ‘present’ in their attempt to create a new nation and thus, ruin the credibility of the EU itself. Unfortunately, such members of the European Parliament exist, but fortunately, a huge majority there stand behind our arguments. We will fight against those who had robbed and humiliated Macedonia in the past seven years,” Mickoski said responding to reporters’ questions.  

Photo: MIA archive