site.btaPetkov on Bulgaria Greenlighting Skopje's EU Accession 

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov commented the topic of Bulgaria greenlighting North Macedonia's EU accession by denying that the lifting of Bulgaria's veto by June has been agreed on. Petkov was adamant that North Macedonia's EU accession is in Bulgaria's interest, but not before Bulgarians' rights in that country are guaranteed. 

Nothing will be done before Parliament votes on it and broad public debate is held, he said, adding that the debate must be real. "If we waive around slogans without understanding the situation, we risk making a neighbouring country disliking us even more and depriving it of its chance to join the EU," he said, reiterating that Bulgaria's long-term goal is for the Republic of North Macedonia to become part of the EU. 

"We can put them on the path to Europe, but the criteria they must meet have to be clearly set by us," Petkov said. "We're letting North Macedonia embark on its path towards the EU, but this path is paved with clearly set requirements and obligations, which will allow us to utilize the whole of Europe to guarantee the progress that we want as Bulgarians," he said. 

According to Petkov, North Macedonia must guarantee the rights of Bulgarians there by amending its Constitution, after which these amendments can become part of its EU accession treaty. The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that the European Commission's President, Ursula von der Leyen, has provided assurances that the Commission will be a guarantor of this process.