Skopje, 11 June 2022 (MIA) – Johanna Deimel, a leading German analyst for the Balkans, has told the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) that the Bulgarian veto on North Macedonia threatens the entire European project on the Balkans, MIA reports from Sofia. Deimel asks who has an interest in blocking the EU enlargement decision and what signal would it give to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, adding the dispute involves Russian meddling. “I am not denying there is different interpretation of history. But at the same time, the Bulgarian veto is a threat to the entire European project on the Balkans. Bulgaria has no benefit from this. Surveys have shown that 63 percent of Bulgarians support EU sanctions on Russia, which shows that European solidarity in Bulgaria is large. Therefore, I wonder why has Slavi Trifonov decided to leave the ruling coalition now, when there is a chance to reach compromise between Sofia and Skopje? Even more, it comes after it became clear that North Macedonia is prepared to meet one of Bulgaria’s key demands – incorporation of Bulgarians in the country’s constitution. We may come to a paradox of having the veto lifted but no government to implement this decision,” says Deimel. She notes it is clear that the Bulgaria-North Macedonia agreement must include compromises. “Big western powers France, Germany and the United States are trying to help the parties reach an agreement. Their intervention is focused on limiting the Russian influence, because destabilization of the region is helping Russia,” Deimel told BNR.