TIRANA, June 30 – French President Emanuel Macron announced in Madrid on Thursday that a compromise had been reached between Bulgaria and North Macedonia to lift the Bulgarian veto.
“I can say that a compromise has been found, a compromise that preserves the sensitivity of both parties and I believe it is acceptable to all. Both sides will confirm this in the coming days,” said Macron, who is the architect of the deal between Skopje and Sofia.
Macron noted that the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the President have accepted this version and talks will take place in the coming days in Skopje.
“The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accepted a proposal of the French Presidency with ideas that refer to our publicly expressed positions. This is the basis for opening a broad consultative process, first with the Government and coalition partners, and then with the President, Parliament and the opposition, as well as with the civil sector, experts and the general public in the country,” the Government said in a statement. .
“As we promised, the decision on the future will be taken jointly, according to merit, in accordance with the strategic interests of the country and all its citizens. We would like to thank President Macron and the French Presidency for their efforts to overcome obstacles and maintain European credibility in the Balkans,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted from Madrid after the news released by Macron, calling on the Albanian and Macedonian leaders in North Macedonia to accept the French proposal for resolving the stalemate with Bulgaria.
Through a post on social networks, Rama said on Thursday that the acceptance of this proposal paves the way to the opening of negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia.
“The latest French proposal, which is also the final one, gives North Macedonia the possibility of an unconditional accession and paves the way for the official start of negotiations for the membership of both countries in the European Union! I say to the Macedonian & Albanian brothers in NM: Accept it!” said Rama on Twitter.
/Argumentum.al