Marichikj: Macedonian and Bulgarian sides should not allow disputes to become bigger obstacle
Skopje, 19 November 2022 (MIA) – The Macedonian and Bulgarian sides should not allow disputes to become an even bigger obstacle in the coming period, as this will affect relations in the long-term, as well as future relations within the Union and the region, said Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj.
Marichikj, who addressed a panel as part of the Balkan Integration Forum 2022, expressed confidence that Bulgarian politicians have also learned a lesson from the issue of North Macedonia.
He said the country has good allies in Bulgaria, in all political parties, but unfortunately tension and anti-campaign is still high, and it is also related to what is happening in Ukraine.
“Similar structures that are against support for Ukraine are also against North Macedonia and negotiations with the European Union,” the Deputy PM pointed out.
“This is a task both on our part and on the part of Bulgaria, not to allow all these disputes to become an even bigger obstacle in the coming period, because it will definitely affect our relations in the long-term, as well as future relations within the Union and the region,” Marichikj stressed.
According to him, it must be noted regarding the crisis in Ukraine that it has shown it is difficult to remain neutral at this time, and it has practically pressured all the countries of Europe to take a clear position.
North Macedonia, the Deputy PM noted, is among the first countries that condemned aggression against Ukraine, accepted the sanctions introduced by the European Union and fully aligned with the EU's foreign policy.
The Balkan Integration Forum 2022, organized by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the European Movement Montenegro, was held in Podgorica Montenegro on November 17-18.
Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj addressed the forum via video, alongside Ranko Krivokapić, former Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, Vesna Pusić, former member of the Croatian Parliament, Igor Crnadak, former Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Boško Jakšić, journalist and author.
