MoFAEI: Instead of unsubstantiated comments, we expect European behavior, respect and recognition of the Macedonian language from Bulgaria
Skopje – It is worrying that, instead of being welcomed as a constructive step forward, the Draft Action Plan for the protection and promotion of the rights of members of the communities is the subject of abstract and unfounded comments from Bulgaria, which does not contribute to building trust and good faith between the two states, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade reacts, emphasizing that “instead of unsubstantiated comments, we expect European behavior from our neighbor, among other things with regard to full respect and recognition of the Macedonian language.”
– The Republic of North Macedonia remains consistent with European rules and the merit-based approach to enlargement. The Draft Action Plan for the protection and promotion of the rights of members of the communities was prepared in Macedonian and English by domestic and international experts, in close consultation with the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The document contains clearly defined measures, deadlines and competent institutions and is fully aligned with the highest European standards, it is stated in the press release of the Macedonian MFAFT following the reaction of the Bulgarian MFA to yesterday’s statement by Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski that “Bulgaria is bothered by the Macedonian language in the Action Plan for minorities.”
The process of drafting the Draft Action Plan, as pointed out by the MFAFT, took place in several phases, starting from 2023, with the final revision being intensified in the last six months of 2025, and throughout the entire process domestic and international experts in the field of international law, human rights and minority rights were actively involved and regularly consulted, while the Council of Europe and the European Commission emphasized that the document covers all relevant European and international standards.
– We emphasize that the Republic of North Macedonia is recognized as a positive example at the European level in the implementation of the rights of communities and will continue to be so in the future. We remain firmly committed to equality, inclusion and effective implementation of policies in the interest of all our citizens, it is stressed in the statement from the MFAFT.
The statement follows the reaction of the Bulgarian MFA to yesterday’s statement by Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski that the official Sofia is bothered by the Macedonian language in the Action Plan for minorities.
In the Bulgarian reaction, concern is expressed about what are described as “the latest theses of the authorities in Skopje, which sharply deviate from the essence of the European consensus of 2022.”
– The question of which language the Plan on the rights of the communities expected from North Macedonia should be in is an internal matter for the neighboring state and is not a topic of bilateral relations. The document will be implemented precisely by its institutions towards its own citizens and it is logical that it should be in a language accessible to them. Skopje’s choice to present the draft of that plan to its citizens in English is difficult to explain, especially if the Plan is intended to be genuinely implemented, it is stated in the press release of the Bulgarian MFA. Sofia also recalls that the Action Plan should be preceded by the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution, which, as they point out, will enable Skopje to start accession negotiations.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated yesterday that Bulgaria opposes the Action Plan for minorities because it is in the Macedonian language. Mickoski said that what he had warned partners in Brussels about had happened – “that even if we make the best Action Plan for minorities, it will be rejected by Bulgaria.”
– I regret that once again they missed the chance to show that they are good neighbors. Not a single member state is against it, not a single minority in Macedonia is against it, because there was a public debate. Well, the problem was that it was in the Macedonian language. Forgive me, but my mother tongue is Macedonian, the official language for international use is Macedonian, there is no other. If that bothers someone, I cannot help there and I regret that this is the case, said Mickoski.
The Prime Minister pointed out that everything was done as requested – the suggestions of an expert from Italy were accepted in the drafting of the Plan and the request from Brussels was fulfilled “to send it to Bulgaria one day in advance to show good will.”
– That is what we did, we gave it a day in advance. Well, now, they were bothered that it is in the Macedonian language. But it is the official language according to the Constitution and neither I nor the minister can violate the Constitution. If they think that we will send it in another language, we have no other language according to the Constitution. That is the Macedonian language. They once again show that it has nothing to do with the minority or Bulgarians in the Constitution. Their demands have much deeper roots and the problems are deeper, and once again they show that their intention is completely different, stated Mickoski.
As he said, the Government currently has no contacts with Bulgaria, but that “we are available anytime and anywhere, in any organization, to go and talk and present our arguments.”
– We will accept everything, of course not the inclusion in the Constitution, we will accept all remarks, but I cannot give up my mother tongue, the Macedonian language, emphasized Mickoski. (5 January 2026)
