Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Andrey Kovatchev: The Western Balkan countries must do their homework if they want to join the EU

MEP Andrey Kovatchev
Photo: BGNES-archive

There is no need for a mediator in relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, MEP Andrey Kovatchev told BNR on the occasion of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's proposal to mediate between Sofia and Skopje.

Regarding the decoupling of North Macedonia and Albania on their ЕU accession path, Andrey Kovatchev said that the main narrative of North Macedonia’s leadership is that the country is being blocked by Sofia, and that “the bad Bulgarians are to blame for everything”.

“Bulgaria has always supported and continues to support the EU integration of all Western Balkan countries, but they must do their homework”, MEP Kovatchev added. "Regarding the Republic of North Macedonia, the main homework is to overcome hatred and the falsification of history, because that is where the discrimination of people who now want to identify as Bulgarians comes from."

Andrey Kovatchev also stated that the negotiating framework for North Macedonia will remain intact.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

122 years since the outbreak of the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie uprising

The 122 nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie uprising will be marked on 2 August in the locality Predela with a flower and wreath laying ritual at the monument Ilinden. Razlog municipality has announced that the ritual will..

published on 8/2/25 7:05 AM

The Union of Thracian Societies commemorates the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising

In the village of Slaveyno near Smolyan, the Union of Thracian Societies in Bulgaria is organizing a National Gathering-Pilgrimage on August 2 and 3. The festival is dedicated to the 122nd anniversary of the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising and the 145th..

published on 8/2/25 5:35 AM

Temperatures begin to rise over the weekend

On Saturday minimum temperatures will range between 15 and 23° C., for Sofia 15° C. During the day the weather will be predominantly sunny, cumulus clouds will form around and after midday. There will be rain and thunder mostly in the mountain..

published on 8/1/25 6:35 PM