According to Bulgarian media reports, confirmed by Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), references to “Macedonian national identity” and “Macedonian language” have been removed from the draft of the annual Progress Report on North Macedonia, which is set to be discussed and voted on next week by the European Parliament.
Bulgarian MEP Andrey Kovatchev announced the development via social media, stating: “At the request of the European People’s Party group, the three largest political groups in the European Parliament – the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe – agreed on Wednesday evening to remove all references to Macedonian identity and Macedonian language from the draft of the Progress Report on North Macedonia. I expect this amendment to be supported by the majority in the European Parliament next week during the plenary session.”
Kovatchev emphasized that issues of national identity and language have no place in a report evaluating the progress of a country seeking EU accession.
The removal of these references sparked strong reactions in North Macedonia. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski accused Bulgaria of using “Taliban-like” methods in the context of EU negotiations.
Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
