Mitzkoski: The North Macedonian government will not be blackmailed

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristian Mickoski, has made it clear that his government will not yield to pressure, particularly in relation to constitutional reforms and diplomatic tensions with Bulgaria. In an interview with TV ALSAT-M, Mickoski stated that the previous government under the Social Democratic Party (SDSM) had effectively signed a "capitulation," accepting Bulgarian demands within the country's negotiation framework. He emphasized that there would be no constitutional changes without the participation of the VMRO-DPMNE party, which he described as genuine politicians who understand the commitments undertaken by the previous administration.

Mickoski outlined three key messages in his remarks. The first was that constitutional changes would not occur without the involvement of VMRO-DPMNE. He acknowledged that opposition politicians could serve as part of the soft fabric of Macedonian identity and statehood, but noted that this was their choice and path. The second message was that the previous government had signed a "white paper," or capitulation, due to differing interests between the SDSM and the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the largest Albanian party and coalition partner in the previous government. Both parties were united by the belief that signing such a document would secure them victory in subsequent parliamentary elections. However, this did not materialize, leading both parties into deep opposition and internal structural disintegration.

Mickoski also highlighted the obligations of the previous government regarding human rights, emphasizing the need for Bulgaria to comply with international resolutions on human rights. He pointed out that Bulgaria has at least 14 decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg that require it to register the organization OMO Ilinden-Pirin, which Bulgaria has refused to do. He criticized European politicians' claims that constitutional changes are the last condition for starting EU accession talks, stating that these claims lack the guarantees the Macedonian government expects.

According to Mickoski, the conclusions of the European Council merely indicate that constitutional changes must be implemented before EU accession negotiations begin. This requirement was specifically detailed in the second protocol signed in 2022 by then-Foreign Ministers Teodora Gencovska of North Macedonia and Buja Osman of Bulgaria. He argued that whenever Sofia mentions fulfilling the Friendship and Good Neighborliness Agreement and its protocols, it implies that historical issues must be resolved before joining the EU. He contended that North Macedonia has fulfilled all reform-related conditions to start negotiations.

In response to the planned border blockades by the Foundation "Macedonia," the organization announced the cancellation of its planned demonstrations at the border points with North Macedonia. The foundation’s chairman, Viktor Stoyanov, explained that the decision followed the reaction of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the public appeal by the Bulgarian ambassador in Skopje to delay the protests. Stoyanov emphasized that the foundation aims to expose the business interests of Prime Minister Mickoski in Bulgaria, including transport services and small-scale food trade concentrated in the southwest region of Bulgaria. A national map detailing these businesses will be presented to the Bulgarian public to highlight how they finance anti-Bulgarian propaganda in North Macedonia.

Stoyanov further indicated that after presenting the map, the foundation plans to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging Bulgarians to boycott products associated with Mickoski’s business and to raise awareness among relevant state institutions in Bulgaria. He criticized the ongoing hostile rhetoric from North Macedonia’s leadership, noting systematic persecution of Bulgarians in the country, including unlawful arrests and fabricated legal proceedings. Examples cited included the arrest of Bulgarian citizen Iva Mihaylova, the burning of Bulgarian diplomatic vehicles in Skopje, and the conviction of a Bulgarian man for Facebook comments deemed inappropriate despite lacking threatening content.

Stoyanov highlighted the unity in media coverage promoting anti-Bulgarian sentiment and hatred towards the Bulgarian nation, adding that this information was included in a recent European Parliament report. Despite the planned cancellations of border protests, the foundation remains committed to exposing the political and economic ties between North Macedonia’s leadership and anti-Bulgarian activities, aiming to foster better relations and mutual understanding between the two nations.