On ne passe pas!*
European integration мust not tolerate the manipulation of the truth!
The Republic of North Macedonia is increasingly pursuing a political course that not only slows down but effectively blocks its own path to membership in the European Union. This is happening at a time when EU enlargement is once again on the agenda, and the geopolitical environment requires stability and predictability in the Balkans.
Unfulfilled Commitments and Loss of Trust
At the core of the problem lies the failure to fulfill the commitments undertaken under the so-called “French proposal” – a framework that made it possible to unblock the process between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. One of the key elements of this framework is the inclusion of Bulgarians as a constituent people in the country’s constitution. The delay and politicization of this issue are not merely a domestic political problem – they undermine trust between partners and call into question Skopje’s genuine commitment to European values. The EU operates based on agreements, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights – principles that cannot be applied selectively.
Repression and Symbolic Actions
Alongside institutional inaction, there are worrying signals of pressure on people with Bulgarian identity. The closure of and attacks against cultural institutions such as the Bulgarian Cultural Club “Ivan Mihailov” are symptoms of a deeper problem – an inability or unwillingness to guarantee fundamental civil rights. Such actions not only contradict European standards but also send a negative signal to Brussels that reforms are superficial rather than structural.
External Noise Instead of Real Reform
Instead of focusing on meeting concrete criteria, the current government in Skopje is investing significant resources in international campaigns and lobbying. These efforts are often accompanied by manipulative rhetoric that presents the situation as a bilateral dispute rather than a matter of fulfilling clear European requirements. Figures such as Thomas Waitz and other European representatives are frequently drawn into this communication strategy, creating a sense of a “double game” and undermining trust in the objectivity of the European process.
Who Benefits from the Delay?
Although presented as a defense of national interest, this policy in practice serves the interests of external actors who do not want the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. The delay creates a vacuum that can easily be filled by geopolitical influences outside the European sphere. This places North Macedonia at strategic risk – the country loses time, trust, and economic opportunities while neighboring states move forward.
Bulgaria’s Position – A Matter of Principle, Not a Veto
We all remember very well that when Greece was defending its historical rights in its dispute with the Republic of North Macedonia, European representatives unanimously nodded in agreement, endorsing Greece’s position. This is the place to remind them that Bulgaria also has historical rights, and these are no less significant for Europe’s cultural heritage. The position of Bulgaria is often portrayed as “blocking,” but in essence it is based on already agreed conditions. In this sense, it is not about a unilateral veto, but about insisting on the fulfillment of commitments. Lifting the veto without real progress would mean compromising fundamental EU principles – something that would have long-term negative consequences not only for bilateral relations but also for the Union itself.
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The current policy of North Macedonia appears paradoxical: instead of accelerating European integration, it leads to its delay. Instead of building trust, it contributes to its erosion. In this context, the historical perspective presented by Ivan Mihailov in his memoirs is also indicative. In them, he consistently defends the thesis that the cultural and educational development of Macedonia in the 19th and early 20th centuries is inseparably linked to the Bulgarian spiritual tradition – through schools, church struggles, and literary activity. Mihailov emphasizes that Bulgarian self-awareness was a leading factor in shaping modern identity in the region, particularly within the framework of the Bulgarian Exarchate and its educational network.
This historical reality cannot be ignored or distorted without consequences – either academically or politically. The refusal to recognize the diversity of identities, including the Bulgarian one, is not merely a dispute about the past, but an obstacle to building trust in the present. If Skopje genuinely seeks membership in the European Union, the path is clear: fulfillment of commitments, guaranteeing the rights of all citizens, and accepting historical facts as a foundation for a shared European future – not as a tool for political confrontation.
ORFEI e.V.