North Macedonia's real negotiations for EU membership will begin when Bulgarians are included in the country's constitution, Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodora Genchovska assured. “Then there will be a new intergovernmental conference at which accession talks will begin”, said Genchovska. Minister Genchovska reminded that on December 15, 2021, Skopje had sent a note that this country was ready to include Bulgarians in North Macedonia’s constitution.

North Macedonia will hold its first intergovernmental conference with the EU on July 19.

“Bulgaria is not backing down on its position on the official language of the Republic of North Macedonia", said Bulgaria's Foreign Minister. Teodora Genchovska emphasized that Bulgaria does not recognize North Macedonia's official language. "The other 26 EU members have their own positions, and we cannot oblige them to accept ours," Genchovska said further.

• Sofia-Skopje protocol paves the way for opening the accession negotiations