Bulgarian members of the European Parliament presented a united position in Strasbourg, criticizing what they described as ongoing anti-Bulgarian rhetoric in North Macedonia and linking it to the recent arson attack on vehicles belonging to the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje. The issue was raised during a European Parliament debate focused on the progress of the Western Balkan countries toward EU membership.
Speaking across different political groups, Bulgarian MEPs argued that the attack on diplomatic property was not an isolated incident but rather a consequence of years of hostility directed at Bulgaria. They stressed that the protection of citizens in North Macedonia who identify as Bulgarian is not a bilateral issue but one connected to core European principles, including respect for human rights, the rule of law, and democratic values.
During the debate, Bulgarian representatives emphasized that the obligations facing Skopje are not new demands introduced by Sofia. Instead, they pointed out that “constitutional changes and good-neighborly relations are part of the already agreed framework” governing North Macedonia’s accession process. According to the MEPs, the country must fulfill the commitments it has already accepted as part of its path toward EU membership.
