EPP, SD and RE jointly propose the deletion of ‘Macedonian identity and language’ in the Weitz Report
Brussels – In the updated version of the report by MEP Thomas Waitz on North Macedonia, which the European Parliament is expected to discuss at the plenary session next week in Strasbourg, a total of 28 amendments have been submitted, including those calling for the removal of the phrases “Macedonian identity and language” from the document.
As reported by the MIA correspondent from Brussels, with Amendment 20, jointly submitted by MEPs Andrzej Halicki on behalf of the European People’s Party (EPP), Kathleen Van Brempt on behalf of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Dan Barna on behalf of the liberal group “Renew Europe” (RE), the removal of point L is proposed, which states “considering that the EU continuously demonstrates its recognition of the Macedonian language and identity”.
In Article 3 of the Report, which, among other things, discusses the need to maintain momentum and credibility in the EU integration process, calls for rapid progress in accession negotiations and emphasizes the importance of adopting constitutional amendments, the three MEPs on behalf of their groups also propose Amendment 21 to remove the part of the text that states: “fully respecting the Macedonian language and identity”.
Halicki, Van Brempt, and Barna also propose Amendment 22, which calls for the removal of the introductory part of Article 7, which states: “Affirms the importance of unambiguous recognition and respect for the Macedonian language and identity as an integral part of the heritage and constitutional order of the nation, as well as of European values; notes that European institutions, in reports on countries and official documents, consistently refer to the Macedonian language in accordance with international recognition and the implementation of the Prespa Agreement;…”.
The author of the report, Thomas Waitz, with Amendment 18, proposes the insertion of a new point L-a after point L, which would read: “considering that issues of language, identity, and culture are inherently sensitive, especially in contexts involving complex historical narratives and new independent states”.
Waitz, who belongs to the Greens group, also proposes Amendment 19 for the insertion of a new Article 7-a, which states: “Recognizes the existence of different interpretations regarding the origin of the Macedonian language and identity; emphasizes that his report does not aim to prejudge or limit the scientific discourse on these issues, nor do such interpretations affect the Parliament’s assessment of North Macedonia’s progress towards EU accession, which remains based on the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of good neighborly relations, and in accordance with the criteria agreed upon in the Council conclusions of July 2022”.
The Bulgarian MEP Ivaylo Valchev from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group proposes three amendments (11, 12, and 13) which foresee the insertion of the word “modern” before “Macedonian language and identity” in point L and Articles 3 and 7. (July 3, 2025)
