Skopje, 7 May 2026 (MIA) - We are working on the execution of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judgments against Bulgaria, said Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on Thursday.

"What is important is not only the ECHR judgment itself, but its execution as well. In the case with Bulgaria, we have a summary of decisions that have still not been enforced. And we are working on this. We have made some progress in the past month, but this needs time. Stability of the process is also important because this must be more than a symbolic solution," Secretary General Berset told a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski.

According to him, progress has been made over the past 12 months, adding that the Committee of Ministers would look into the matter in the course of the year so that the execution of the decisions becomes a reality.

"You are right, the execution has gone on for too long, this is clear. But we are continuing to work on this and hope we will have a positive outcome very soon," added Berset.

FM Mucunski said North Macedonia is a country that has consistently implemented ECHR decisions.

"It is not always pleasant and easy for the country, but the European Convention on Human Rights and the Court judgments represent a moral compass for member-states. It may not be easy, but it is the states' obligation to execute them. On the cases concerned, we provide our input within the Committee of Ministers and expect all member-states to undertake their tasks in accordance with the Convention," noted Mucunski.

Photo: MIA