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

Georg Georgiev: Bulgaria has no conditions apart from those of the EU for the EU membership of North Macedonia

Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev spoke by phone with his counterpart from the Republic of North Macedonia .  Timcho Mucunski, officially informing him about the decision of the Bulgarian Parliament adopted on May 30, 2025, on the progress of..

published on 6/11/25 3:25 PM

Ships from Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania will conduct anti-mine patrols in the Black Sea

From June 11 to 26, 2025, the fifth mission of the Naval Mine Countermeasures Group "MCM BLACK SEA" is being carried out in the Black Sea. Warships from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey are participating in the action, which began from Burgas, BGNES..

published on 6/11/25 2:28 PM
Photo: Cultural Center „Bulgarica” in Chicago

“Summer Wind” exhibition in Chicago presents paintings by four Bulgarian artists

The exhibition “Summer Wind” opened on June 8 in Bagrena Gallery at the Bulgarica Cultural Center in Chicago, USA. The center announced this on its Facebook page. With the exhibition the Bagrena Gallery closes its active season and..

published on 6/11/25 11:18 AM