Skopje, 13 September 2021 (MIA) – Regarding the so-called non-paper that was published by some media outlets on Monday, the President’s Office says there have been no negotiations with the Republic of Bulgaria for months back and therefore Sofia has not forwarded any document whatsoever. President Pendarovski’s position on the identity and the language of the Macedonian people is clear and unchanged, there have been no negotiations on this, nor there will be any in the future, says the Office. Earlier, the Government said North Macedonia considers the proposal presented during the Portuguese EU Presidency as the official one, a proposal that ensures solutions acceptable for all sides. This came in response to MIA’s question on a new non-paper for settlement of the bilateral dispute, released today by Klan TV station without specifying a source, while adding that Skopje and Sofia as well as major EU members are familiarized with. “Republic of North Macedonia remains committed to the process of overcoming differences with the Republic of Bulgaria, thus removing the obstacles for the start of the EU accession talks. This is in the interest of the countries’ citizens and the European agenda. We hope for a sooner creation of political circumstances in Bulgaria towards opening the option for an intensive dialogue between Skopje and Sofia to solve the issues that have blocked the Union enlargement process,” said the Government. According to the non-paper released by Klan TV, the Republic of Bulgaria would be given guarantees over the enhancement of the current nation-state concept, recognizing the historic context on the Bulgarian origin of its citizens without an exception, thus “freeing the country from the trauma that long-term stability and security would be jeopardized through minority rights.” It also claims that the context of multiethnic society in the Republic of North Macedonia would be enhanced through the inclusion of the Bulgarian narrative, incorporation of ethnic Bulgarians in the Constitution as other ethnic communities, protection and care for the association of Bulgarians in fostering, promoting and learning their own aspect of historic events. The Slavic majority, identifying themselves as Macedonians, would maintain the option for their own aspect and narrative in this common history. “This means there will be a single factual truth originating from the empirical scientific activity, which would have a dual aspect of defining the national context and significance of the two national identities,” notes the non-paper. If adds that the dual system would also apply in education, namely a dual explanation of the context of historic events, including the Macedonian and Bulgarian narrative. “The language issue and the use of short name North Macedonia is to be settled in line with the Presidency proposals (German, Portuguese and Slovenian) that have already been unofficially acceptable by both parties,” reads the non-paper.