Skopje, 19 August 2024 (MIA) - The delayed implementation of the constitutional amendments is one of the key factors for us. We believe this is a rational approach that will give us a feeling of certainty there will be no further bilateral claims on the part of Bulgaria, but we should also speak about reciprocity, not from a constitutional standpoint but regarding the respect of minority rights by our neighbor, says Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski.

"With the utmost respect for the representatives of the caretaker government in Bulgaria, they cannot undertake any serious political responsibility at this time, since their task is to administer elections that we would like to see lead to a political government. We will have a proactive dialogue after the formation of such a political government," FM Mucunski told Sitel.

He says these ideas are promoted in communication with all key partners, both strategic ones and EU member-states.

"We are referring to a sustainable and predictable solution, both for our EU integration path but also for maintaining the Union's credibility. Repeated delays in the country's EU accession process due to a bilateral dispute will hit the Union's legitimacy here and across the region," says Mucunski.

The FM recalls there are 14 judgments by the European Court of Human Rights against Bulgaria regarding the right for assembly of civic associations in an EU member that is obligated by the Council of Europe treaties.

"Considering this aspect, we are in institutional communication with Bulgaria, member-states and EU institutions, assuring them this model of delayed enforcement and the expectation from our neighbor Bulgaria to observe the Union's fundamental values is in our interest as an accession country but also in the interest of the EU, which wants to see a credible enlargement process," says Mucunski.

Asked about the possibility of changes in the Negotiating Framework, he says partners should be assured this is a good solution for the country, Bulgaria and the European Union.

"My initial impression is that serious stakeholders in the EU look at our approach as logical and proactive. We have to stand firm and present rational solutions, without buckling to pressure as our predecessors did. We need to speak on equal terms, respecting arguments of others while standing firm on our arguments that we believe are just and fair," underlines FM Mucunski.

MIA file photo