Bulgaria will not set new conditions for the full integration of North Macedonia into the European Union, the agreed conditions must be fulfilledsaid the US Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar.
Escobar told VOA that his Bulgarian colleagues assured him that they had no intention of adding more conditions to North Macedonia on the way to the EU. They emphasized that Bulgaria wants to make sure that the region will move forward along the European path.
“I have had conversations with my Bulgarian colleagues and they have assured me that they have no intention of setting new conditions. They would like to see progress on the road map that is already in place. And we want to make sure that we can work with all countries, to ensure that these conditions are met. We need to build on facts and existing obligations to ensure that North Macedonia can move forward in the accession process.”the American envoy said.
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Escobar pointed out that “there will be no veto if conditions are met”.
Gabriel Escobar also said there was no information about possible talks on constitutional changes between the government and fugitive former prime minister Nikola Gruevski.
“I don’t have any information on that. I will say that it is important for North Macedonia, as it moves forward, not to compromise its ideals, not to compromise the progress it has made with the rule of law. The rule of law and progress must to be maintained as North Macedonia moves forward in Europe, because membership in the European Union is really about standards, values and commitment to the rule of law.”Gabriel Escobar also emphasized.
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The inclusion of the Bulgarians in the Macedonian Constitution is a condition for the continuation of the country’s negotiations for membership in the European Union, in accordance with the so-called French proposal made during the French presidency of the Council of the EU.
According to Escobar, challenges to the rule of law and corruption are perhaps the biggest problem in the Western Balkans.
“That is why we constantly encourage governments and leaders to do more to implement reforms and show concrete results in the fight against corruption and strengthening institutions”he stated.
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Escobar noted that US sanctions against corrupt politicians in the Western Balkans are very effective and more blacklisted individuals can be expected.
Source bgnes
2023-11-04 15:18:12
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