Bulgaria expresses openness to North Macedonia dialogue without ultimatums

EU enlargement Bulgaria-North Macedonia relations diplomatic dialogue Good Neighborliness Agreement European Commission

Bulgarian President Ilijana Jotova has expressed openness to dialogue with North Macedonia, but emphasized that such discussions must occur without ultimatums and without deviating from European Union policies. Jotova urged North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to stop treating EU enlargement as a bilateral issue between the two nations, noting that Bulgaria is a full EU member and must uphold Union values.

North Macedonian Prime Minister Mickoski has requested a bilateral meeting between foreign ministers following recommendations from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. While Mickoski indicated he would reaffirm his government's positions if the meeting is refused, Jotova noted that the case of Iva Mihajlova should be resolved as a prerequisite for meaningful political dialogue.

North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova stated that EU integration issues cannot be viewed strictly as bilateral matters. She also noted that while consensus is needed domestically, the President will not interfere in judicial matters, specifically regarding the legal case of Iva Mihajlova. Meanwhile, former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov called for both sides to respect the existing Good Neighborliness and Friendship Agreement.

Entities

Boyko Borisov · Bulgaria · European Commission · Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova · Hristijan Mickoski · Iliana Jotova · Ilijana Jotova · North Macedonia · Ursula von der Leyen · Zoran Zaev

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova argued that EU integration issues cannot be viewed solely as bilateral or purely EU-related. nacionalno.mk · ts.mk
[● 7 SOURCES] Bulgaria is open to dialogue with North Macedonia provided it does not involve ultimatums or deviations from EU policy. almakos.com · n1info.rs · expres.mk · lideri.mk · racin.mk · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov emphasized that both parties should respect the existing Good Neighborliness and Friendship Agreement. www.ruse24.bg · skopskoeho.mk · libertas.mk · lokalno.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] A European Commission report regarding North Macedonia's progress toward EU accession is expected within two weeks. n1info.rs · expres.mk · racin.mk
[● 7 SOURCES] North Macedonia should stop treating EU enlargement as a bilateral issue with Bulgaria. almakos.com · n1info.rs · expres.mk · lideri.mk · racin.mk · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that if Bulgaria rejects the proposed meeting, his government will reaffirm its positions. almakos.com · skopskoeho.mk · portalb.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] President Siljanovska-Davkova declined to intervene in the judicial case of Iva Mihajlova, citing the separation of powers. viaranews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Bulgaria seeks a resolution to the legal case involving Iva Mihajlova before proceeding with serious political dialogue. n1info.rs · lideri.mk · racin.mk