Radev: Bulgaria has never set and will not set conditions outside the 2017 Agreement, the negotiation framework, and the protocols

Tirana – There is a Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation from 2017, which includes two protocols. There is a negotiating framework from 2022, a European consensus among all member states and from the government of North Macedonia, so Bulgaria has never set and will not set conditions outside of that treaty, outside of the negotiating framework, and outside of the two protocols.

This was stated by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, in response to a journalist’s question about whether Bulgaria has a firm guarantee that there will be no more conditions if Bulgarians are included in the Constitution of Macedonia.

– We want everything that is stated in those documents to be preserved as soon as possible. What we want to see is truly respect for human rights. It is about human rights; we have been waiting for the third year for the accession process to open and for negotiations with North Macedonia to begin along with changes to the Constitution. My question is why this is not happening, Radev stated after today’s joint press conference with the President of Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska – Davkova and Albanian President Baјram Begaj, who participated in the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the participants in the Process of Cooperation in Southeast Europe (PSJIE).

At the press conference, Radev sent a message that it is not about a veto or slowing down the process from a neighboring country.

– We are talking about internal challenges related to human rights and the rule of law. Once again, I want to assure you that Bulgaria, as the closest friendly country, has the desire, is prepared, and extends a hand to help your leadership in the state and society to implement and enforce the Copenhagen criteria at an accelerated pace. All of this is aimed at the same goal: for all countries to join and become members, emphasized Bulgarian President Radev.

I want to assure you that Bulgaria, as a long-standing EU member and future chair of this initiative, he pointed out, with a constructive foreign policy supports the processes to become even closer to EU integration and will be a constructive and responsible partner in achieving a common future for all citizens of the region. (June 16, 2025)