Brussels, 14 February 2023 (MIA) – European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi addressing on Tuesday the EU Parliament said that he expects tensions between Sofia and Skopje which culminated on February 4, to reduce and all those responsible for the incidents to be brought to justice.

“February 4 events were not encouraging. I hoped for much more, as it was agreed by the leaders of both countries to jointly celebrate this date. I hope it will happen next year and there won't be similar events at the border. I must confess that it is no easy task for the authorities in Skopje to maintain calm and peace if there are provocations on their border. Together, the EU must send a message that history is common and should be celebrated as such. We will do everything we can to reduce the tension. We hope that all bilateral agreements will be implemented,” Varhelyi said responding to questions by the Bulgarian MEPs.

MEP Andrey Kovatchev asked Varhelyi to confirm that European Commission (EC) is monitoring not only a change in Macedonian Constitution, but also the implementation of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation between Sofia and Skopje and the two bilateral protocols, ahead of essentially starting the accession negotiations with North Macedonia.

In the case of the Republic of North Macedonia, we set very clear rules in the negotiating framework, which enabled the convening of the first intergovernmental conference, the European Commissioner Varhelyi explained.

“The criteria are clear, good neighbourly relations are needed. The EC will monitor this issue and we expect progress this year. I am monitoring the developments, I spoke with Macedonian citizens identifying themselves as Bulgarians. The authorities in Skopje are not only aware, but also act to eradicate any hatred towards the Bulgarians. The perpetrators have been arrested, the investigation continues, I hope there will be a case in court. I think this should be an indicator of the commitment of the authorities in Skopje,” Varhelyi said regarding the case of Hristijan Pendikov.

Varhelyi said that the EC monitors the observance of the agreement between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, as well as the Prespa Agreement. He announced that the EC progress report on North Macedonia is expected to be published in the autumn.