North Macedonia's long-standing ambition to join the European Union remains in a state of paralysis, as deep-seated historical, cultural, and linguistic disputes with neighboring Bulgaria continue to block its path to accession. The deadlock, which has persisted for years, centers on fundamental questions of national identity and language, with Sofia maintaining a firm veto until Skopje meets a set of contentious political demands.
The core of the issue revolves around Bulgaria's insistence that North Macedonia must fulfill the terms of the so-called "French proposal" from 2022, which requires the country to amend its constitution to formally include the "Bulgarian community." This requirement is a key precondition for advancing the EU accession process. The historical, cultural, and linguistic differences are keeping the EU door closed for North Macedonia, with "fraternal" Bulgaria holding the key, refusing to back down until its neighbor fulfills the 2018 agreement. This complex diplomatic impasse has been extensively detailed by Marina Stoimenova & Apostolos Staikos for Euronews.
The current government in Skopje, led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, has vehemently rejected the implementation of the constitutional changes. Mickoski has publicly labeled his predecessors' decision to accept the French proposal as a "political and strategic mistake" that jeopardizes the country's European future. Just weeks ago, the Prime Minister called on the European Council to issue a conclusion that would affirm the distinct Macedonian identity, language, and "centuries-old culture," signaling a firm stance against what he views as an existential threat to national self-determination.
Bulgaria's concerns, however, extend beyond the constitutional inclusion of its minority. Sofia maintains that the Macedonian language is merely a dialect of Bulgarian, a claim fiercely disputed by Skopje, which asserts its language is separate and unique. This linguistic and historical disagreement often takes on a tone inconsistent with good diplomacy, with Bulgaria alleging "anti-Bulgarian rhetoric" in North Macedonia, while Skopje accuses Bulgaria of threatening its identity. This political "ping-pong" has been played out at the gates of the European Union for decades.
Efforts to resolve the dispute have a long history. In 2018, North Macedonia resolved its name dispute with Greece through the Prespa Agreement, which saw the country adopt the name North Macedonia, leading Athens to lift its veto. However, Sofia immediately stepped in to become the primary obstacle. A 2017 Treaty of Friendship was signed, and a joint historical commission was established in 2021, but the results of these efforts remain unclear.
The current stalemate means that the EU accession talks, which formally began in 2023, have once again stalled. Mickoski's government is now demanding that Bulgaria, in turn, recognize the Macedonian minority in Western Bulgaria, further complicating the negotiating framework.
Andrey Kovatchev, an MEP from the EPP, commented to Euronews that while they desire North Macedonia's membership, the country must fulfill its commitments. "Their desire not to have other demands from Bulgaria has been respected and voted on by the Bulgarian parliament. All they have to do is include the Bulgarian community in their constitution," he stated.
The political tensions have unfortunately spilled over into civil society, leading to verbal attacks, physical violence, and arson against cultural centers in both countries. Despite the political acrimony, many citizens on both sides view each other as "brothers." Yet, the continuous obstacles have led to growing public frustration in North Macedonia. As Prime Minister Mickoski noted in a July interview, "We are all in favor of the EU and we all want to be in the EU, but not at any cost... The citizens are tired of this kind of politics, now or never, the window is open, now is the time... We have been hearing this since the time of [former EU foreign policy chief Javier] Solana." The enduring dispute ensures that North Macedonia's European dream remains frustratingly out of reach.
Photo: Gemini AI