Skopje, 27 June 2025 (MIA) - Sofia's dangerous narrative goes against the strategic interests of EU and NATO and favors third parties that want instability in the region, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski on Friday.

"I want to urge Sofia to behave rationally, not be stuck in regressive narratives regarding the Macedonian issue that certain circles in that country built in the past. We have not been elected by the citizens to judge and analyze, this is the work of historians and academicians. We are elected to bring growth and development. What Sofia is doing as of late, that explicit attempt that we fear and oppose - redefinition of our identity - is regressive and of no use for the region and the people in both countries, who regretfully are becoming increasingly distant," FM Mucunski told a press conference.

He does not see any hate speech in Macedonia, and "if someone considers our need to promote the Macedonian language and identity as hate speech, then the problem is bigger than what we think."

"Nowhere in the official statements of top officials who carry out the country's foreign policy of our country - President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister - have I seen anything that resembles hate speech, and I closely follow all statements," said Mucunski.

The FM said a large majority of EU members understand the deep frustrations of the Macedonian people and the state on the Union integration path, as well as awareness that what is happening to the country does not contribute to the legitimacy of the enlargement policy, which has proved to be the most transformational policy.

"We want a way forward to the EU. Let's discuss compromises but also predictability, namely guarantees after a hypothetical agreement over a compromise. That's why we say that we have some very clear red lines what we cannot overstep. They are related primarily to the language, identity, including the promotion of our culture and history, then academic freedom for discussion on the issue, while also not ignoring the apparent violations by Bulgaria regarding the observance of the principles arising from international law, which they are obligated to implement," said Mucunski in reference to the European Court of Human Rights' rulings over Bulgaria's failure to register the Macedonian associations there.

"A neighbor, now an EU member-state, cannot use this as a tool to redefine our national identity. It is disgraceful to do this in the 21st century. That is why we call for rationality and awareness over the responsibility that we all have for our region and our continent," said Mucunski.

Photo: MIA