Skopje, 21 February 2023 (MIA) - The Eurothink-Center for European Strategies - Skopje organized on Tuesday a final conference on “Demystifying the (un)neighborly relations on the path to the EU: The case of North Macedonia and Bulgaria.”

Participants in the conference focused on relations between Skopje and Sofia, as well as the EU's role, noting that it is necessary to give voice to moderate views in improving the relations between the two countries.   

"Unfortunately, I believe the relations have deteriorated a lot recently, particularly with the initiatives on opening the so-called cultural clubs in both countries, as it turned out that they were used as a means of provocation. Unfortunately, I will say that Bulgaria started it, i.e. the Bulgarian side started the campaign of provocations. Macedonia responded, which is also not right, but relations right now may have reached the lowest point possible. From here on, it's up to us to start improving them," said Dimitar Atanassov from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

According to him, however, on both sides of the border there are political entities, parties and institutions, in whose interest it is to have relations worsen. 

Atanassov is of the opinion that Bulgaria should allow for the country's negotiations with the EU without conditioning on the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution.

"In that regard, my opinion is the opposite to that of the Bulgarian side. I believe the inclusion of Bulgarians in North Macedonia's Constitution is an absolutely pointless thing, i.e. both with and without it, Bulgaria should allow for North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations," said Atanassov.  

He noted that in terms of stabilizing relations between the two countries, the elections in Bulgaria should not be used as an alibi.

"The elections are just an excuse. In Bulgaria it doesn't look like we will create a stable political image in the coming months. If a stable government is obtained in the elections on April 2, it will be a surprise for us Bulgarians too. It doesn't mean that the state should block, and that all international relations should be put on hold, just because someone is unable to form a government. We have to keep working, and there is no alternative," Atanassov said. 

As regards how much the EU can help to relax Skopje-Sofia relations, Atanassov is firm that the Union has helped as much as it could, but it is up to both countries to get the job done. 

"It is clear that our European partners can help, but they will not do our job. We are not children, we need to show that there is maturity in both societies, to understand each other, to get closer, because we are the closest in the Balkans," said Atanassov. 

Eurothink Executive Director Dimitar Nikolovski is confident that reconciliation between the two countries will come through work on easing tensions, especially between the two societies and outside the relations between government officials. He added that reconciliatory voices should be given much more space and time in the media. 

"We should be much less burdened by what Dzhambazki says, on the Bulgarian side, and not see Bulgaria only through the prism of what he says, but to give space to people like Dimitar Atanassov and Stefan Dechev, and there are many more of them," said Nikolovski.

Counsellor at the Embassy of Canada in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro, David Morgan, as well as Czech Ambassador to North Macedonia Jaroslav Ludva also addressed the conference. Ludva stressed that both sides may have different views on the past, but it is very important to keep in mind that they shoyuld be discussed to reach a compromise.  

"This has always been a sensitive issue. You have one history but two sides that look at it differently from two different angles. Neither side is unique or perfect, but a way must be found to discuss and reach a compromise," said Ludva.