The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Zoran Dimitrovski stated that the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution of Macedonia will happen when there are guarantees that identity issues will not be used as a condition or veto on the way to European Union.
Answering a parliamentary question from Jovanka TrenchevskaDimitrovski emphasized that reciprocity is necessary in relation to the rights of Macedonians in Bulgaria.
– Bulgarians will be part of the Constitution when we see a helping hand, above all regarding the rights of Macedonians in Bulgaria and guarantees that identity issues will not block the European integration process – he said.
Dimitrovski pointed out that the Macedonian organizations in Bulgaria are facing problems during registration and that there are judgments for that European Court of Human Rights.
According to him, in the past period, the Government actively worked with European partners to provide support for a predictable and smooth European integration process.
He emphasized that more and more European representatives understand the country’s position, stating that the president of European Council, Antonio Costapublicly indicated the need for guarantees.
Dimitrovski assessed that progress requires a dialogue with the new government in Sofia, but also an internal political consensus.
– Without consensus among political parties, it is our weakest link – he said, adding that citizens already have a clear position on this issue.
At the same time, he criticized the opposition for accepting a negotiating framework in 2022 without a guaranteed two-thirds majority and without wider political consent.
Dimitrovski emphasizes that Macedonia there are high standards in the protection of ethnic communities and that an action plan has been drawn up with experts from Council of Europebut that despite that, some of the requests from Sofia remain unresolved.
