Sofia, 20 September 2024 (MIA) - I believe the tone used by the Republic of North Macedonia will not help it join the European Union, said Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Sofia on Friday.

"Bulgaria is a predictable partner, loyal to the EU. There is nothing we can surprise other member-states with. We support enlargement and the European prospects of the countries in the Western Balkans. We have made enough compromises with the national identity. The Republic of North Macedonia needs to simply meet EU requirements," said Glavchev.

Glavchev's statement comes after the remarks coming from Skopje over the absence of the Macedonian flag during the recent informal meeting of the countries' presidents in Sofia, and especially after the statement of Deputy PM and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski that "the host is uncivilized, has no respect, which leads to these situations".

Andrey Kovatchev, Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament (MEP), told BNT they have informed the European People's Party (EPP) over VMRO-DPMNE's conduct, adding they will ask for the start of a procedure over the party's exclusion from EPP.

"They want to show in every way their wish to stand alongside Orban's party Fidesz. They are drifting away from the values of EPP and European democracy," says Kovachev and notes that the geopolitical direction of the authorities in Skopje takes the line of (Serbian President) Vucic, (Hungarian PM) Orban, China and Russia.

Regarding Nikoloski's statement, Kovatchev says it was coordinated with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

"The current leadership in the Republic of North Macedonia is demonstrating a clear wish to not continue on the European integration path. They are seeking for some excuse before their public why it cannot happen, and this excuse is to besmirch Bulgaria," says Kovatchev.

According to him, Bulgaria has not given any reason for provocations and has not used the issue of bilateral relations in the pre-election campaign.

Revival party leader Kostadin Kostadinov has urged the Bulgarian Parliament to pass a declaration by which Sofia would inform its EU partners regarding "developments on the other side of the border and the sabotage against pan-European policies".

"When one wants to be part of a common European home, one must respect its policies. One of the criteria is a policy of goodneighborliness. We signed a friendship treaty with North Macedonia, which is currently violated. This is, of course, an intentional policy of provocations," said Kostadinov.

MIA file photo