In an interview for the Bulgarian Focus news agency, the leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia Zoran Zaev revealed that Bulgarian diplomats in Skopje had been wiretapped, evidence of which they had received themselves. In accordance with the internationally established diplomatic practice, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined any comment on matters of such nature though it did find it fitting to state that “the internal political crisis in the Republic of Macedonia, caused by revelations of human rights violations and mass wiretapped phone conversations, including of diplomats from third countries, raises very serious concerns” and that there was a need “of an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations.” The current situation goes a long way to compound the problem-ridden relations between the two countries.

The fact that there are problems in the relations between the two countries was something Radio Bulgaria commented three months ago in light of the expectations of the meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers which aimed to push dialogue up to a higher level. Back then, the argument we adduced to support our skepticism was that though bilateral relations had great potential, there was scant progress. Three months later, instead of a dialogue at a summit level we saw the leader of the biggest opposition power in Macedonia reveal, in an interview for a Bulgarian news agency that basic rights and liberties were being trampled upon, the constitution violated, control established over the judiciary and the media, elections rigged, diplomats wiretapped. The Bulgarian side is taking a very serious view of the allegations made by Zoran Zaev – the foreign ministry noted that “only after all elements of a country based on the rule of law had been constructed could the ambitions of the Republic of Macedonia for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures be realized.” Such a reaction in fact means that at this time, Macedonia cannot rely on any Bulgarian support for its accession to the EU or NATO. Macedonia will most likely be unable to rely on any EU or NATO support either, judging by the reactions of the European Commission and the US State Department, triggered by the latest in the country’s political crisis.

But the political crisis in Macedonia goes back a long way, and not just because of the latest controversies and recriminations between government and opposition. Macedonia found itself facing dire political straits right after the early general elections, whose legitimacy is contested by the opposition to this day. The opposition boycotted parliament and is obstructing the settlement of vital issues; there are controversies within the ruling coalition even, mostly over the distribution of power resources but not just that. For instance, Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration which has been a partner to the VMRO – DPMNE in governing the country for a long time has frequently stated he was in favour of a compromise on the question of Macedonia’s name, which has been a stumbling block to the country’s accession to the EU and NATO. The VMRO – DPMNE on its part is categorically against any concessions on the matter. A little after Zoran Zaev’s interview for the Bulgarian news agency, Ali Ahmeti said, at a meeting with the Bulgarian ambassador in Skopje, that a constructive dialogue between Bulgaria and Macedonia must be clothed in a neighbourhood agreement as soon as possible. Bulgaria has wanted such an agreement for many years though it lays it down as a condition for its support to Macedonia in its pre-accession negotiations with the EU. But once again on this, the biggest partner in the ruling coalition in Skopje - the VMRO – DPMNE - has reservations. Ever since the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, Macedonia has been facing major issues which it is finding it difficult to resolve. The first big issue was recognition of its independence, now the big question is what the country is to be called, its identity and membership of the EU and NATO, whose diplomats it now seems to be wiretapping. The big questions facing Macedonia can only be solved by way of dialogue between predictable and legitimate representatives and the respective international factors, in the conditions of a stable domestic political landscape and mutual trust. Unless all of these are in place, any hope of success is a mere illusion.

English version: Milena Daynova