Bulgaria and North Macedonia clash over EU accession path

Diplomatic tensions persist between Bulgaria and North Macedonia regarding Skopje’s path toward European Union membership. North Macedonian Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski has called for the involvement of the European Union as a mediator in future talks with Bulgaria to help rebuild what he described as a ‘fundamental lack of trust.’

In response, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the accession process is a European matter that must be handled through established EU institutions and procedures rather than bilateral mediation. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova emphasized that North Macedonia must fulfill its existing commitments, including constitutional changes, to progress. Bulgaria maintains it is open to constructive dialogue but insists that good neighborly relations are a prerequisite for membership.

Additionally, Krum Efremov, the incoming North Macedonian ambassador to Bulgaria, highlighted the need for de-escalation to create a positive diplomatic climate. He noted that the current obstruction of EU negotiations remains a major challenge and expressed a commitment to finding solutions through dialogue rather than continued stagnation.