Skopje, 19 June 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Thursday he would be the happiest man alive if the country report by European Parliament Rapporteur Thomas Waitz was adopted, while adding there are reports of strong political pressure coming from Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the Bulgarian executive saying that if the document is adopted, it could radicalize pro-Russian structures against Bulgaria's incumbent pro-European government.

PM Mickoski was quizzed by reporters about his expectations for the June 24 vote on the report by the EP's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).

"I would be the happiest man alive if the report is adopted by AFET and then forwarded for an EP session. I have been receiving reports these days on fierce political pressure by Bulgarian MEPs and the Bulgarian executive saying that if the document is adopted, it could radicalize pro-Russian structures against Bulgaria's incumbent pro-European government. This gives you an insight into the state that an EU member is in, blocking the Euro-integration process that the opposition is blindly signing off. Nevertheless, we will continue to fight and part of the AFET members and MEPs are giving enormous support," said Mickoski.

The PM added that the real Bulgarian strategy has come to surface at last.

"For us it is enough to see the real reason and strategy coming to surface from our eastern neighbor at last - creating a present Macedonian nation, with a present Macedonian identity, speaking a present mother tongue with Bulgarian roots," said Mickoski.

On the possibility for a meeting of President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the sidelines of next week's NATO summit, Mickoski said "we should accept such an initiative if it comes", while adding it should come from European Council President Antonio Costa, since he was the one to propose such a high-level meeting.