Skopje, 26 January 2026 (MIA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said Brussels has recently rolled out yet another initiative to organize a meeting with Bulgaria and unblock the country's European integration.

In an interview with Sitel TV on Monday, Mucunski said the focus in terms of European integration is primarily on reforms at home, adding that Brussels has also taken note and the Action Plan for the Protection of Minorities has been welcomed by several member states. However, he pointed out that there is a lack of dialogue to find a solution to the most complex problem.

"During December, there were serious initiatives from several larger and more influential EU member states alongside the EU leadership to organize a meeting between me and my counterpart Georgiev. As a Government, we were asked to propose several dates, and we said - set the date, but unfortunately, there was no positive feedback from Sofia. Brussels has recently rolled out yet another initiative to organize a meeting. Again, we are available, as soon as the other side is ready to exchange arguments, to express our objective concerns, our fear that even if the constitutional amendments are passed, our country will be put in the same position again due to issues related to identity, history and language. Let us express our concerns about the non-implementation of the judgments of the International Court of Human Rights by neighbouring Bulgaria, let us discuss as neighbours who have shown in recent months that we can achieve success if we align our efforts, for example on Corridor VIII," said Mucunski. 

It takes two to reach a solution, he added, as well as good faith and discussion in the spirit of European values. The Government, he noted, is ready to have such a discussion today, tomorrow and any day, regardless of the outcome of the elections in Sofia.

"In discussions with representatives of EU member states, the EC, there is always an attempt to find a solution. Unfortunately, I cannot share those ideas with the public now because they will be rejected as we speak. There are several ideas. Citizens should know that several fundamental issues are crucial for us. First, to put an end to our national concessions, not only towards Bulgaria but towards any country that erodes the pillars of our identity - language, culture, history. Also, it is our expectation that the Macedonian national minorities living beyond our borders, especially those in EU member states, will receive European treatment," Mucunski said. 

He added that unfortunately, perhaps due to the election process in Bulgaria, "we have seen an unfair approach to the Action Plan for Minorities."

"Sofia is acting as it does, we need to focus on reforms at home, Europeanize our society, fulfil international commitments while being proactive in finding a solution," said Mucunski. 

Photo: MIA archive