Mucunski: We are working to strengthen the dynamics of meetings with official Sofia, we are ready for rational solutions according to European values

Skopje – The head of the Macedonian diplomacy, Timcho Mucunski, stated today that efforts are being made to strengthen the dynamics of meetings with official Sofia and that we are ready to find rational solutions within the framework of European values, but it is also our duty to set a clear red line regarding certain issues related to identity attributes.

– It is our responsibility to offer solutions, but it is also our duty to set a clear red line regarding certain issues that the Macedonian citizens and our Government are not prepared to negotiate and discuss. Regarding the redefinition of our identity, regarding issues of a historical nature that we can state with absolute certainty, regarding issues with other identity attributes of the Macedonian people, we are not prepared to discuss such issues, but yes, we are ready to find rational solutions within the framework of European values, and wherever there is a will, a suitable path can be found, Mucunski stated at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

He emphasized that efforts are being made to strengthen the dynamics of meetings with official Sofia and that there is an initiative for a meeting at the NATO Summit in The Hague at the end of this month.

– We hope that this meeting will take place, there is enhanced communication in the coming days, but we still cannot confirm anything. President Siljanovska Davkova, along with the Minister of Defense, will be part of that delegation, and we hope that such a meeting can provide an impetus towards finding a solution, Mucunski said in response to journalists’ questions.

He reminded that the country is committed to European integration and that concrete steps have been taken for the state to move forward in the European integration process.

– In the last year of the Government’s mandate, we became the first country in the region to sign a Partnership for Security and Defense with the EU, we became part of the common European payment system – SEPA. We became the first country in the region to receive funds from the Growth Plan. This means that we have not only shown that we are committed to the process of European integration, but we also have concrete benefits from moving forward towards the EU. Therefore, I say, concrete steps have been taken for the state to move forward towards full membership, but that political barrier from Bulgaria exists, because these measures are moving the country forward towards full EU membership, but they cannot replace the process of opening negotiations, Mucunski emphasized.

He informed that they have ongoing communication with all member states, the focus is on the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as, as much as possible, appropriate communication channels with Bulgaria, which is blocking this process.

– We are not saying it will be easy, but we believe that if we have principled positions, if we have a clear stance, if Bulgaria develops an awareness of geopolitical events – there will be understanding in Sofia that this process needs to be unblocked as soon as possible, Mucunski assessed. (June 16, 2025)