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

EC: North Macedonia has not yet included the Bulgarians in its constitution

Photo: BTA

"North Macedonia has not yet adopted the necessary constitutional changes to include the citizens who are part of other nations, such as the Bulgarians, in the constitution." This is seen in a report on EU enlargement, presented by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. North Macedonia is committed to making these changes in accordance with the conclusions of the EU Council from July 2022, but the necessary two-thirds majority for this change was not achieved in the parliament, the document recalls, BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova reported. In addition to the Bulgarians, five more nationalities should be included - Croats, Montenegrins, Slovenes, Jews and Egyptians. Part of the Roma community in the country define themselves as Egyptians.

The report states that further efforts are needed to foster an atmosphere of dialogue and mutual respect between the countries. The Commission also criticizes North Macedonia for freezing the construction of corridor No. 8, although it considers that it has achieved a good level of preparation in the field of trans-European transport networks. Work on the corridor has progressed but the third phase of the project at Kriva Palanka on the border with Bulgaria was stopped by the national authorities.


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

Weather forecast for May 19: Sun in the morning, clouds and showers in the afternoon

On Monday, the lowest temperatures will range between 5°C and 10°C, around 5°C in Sofia. It will be mostly sunny in the morning, but around and after noon, cumulonimbus clouds will begin to form. Short showers are expected mainly in the mountain..

published on 5/18/25 6:35 PM
Bulgaria's Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov

Bulgaria supplies electricity to North Macedonia and Serbia after power outages in the Balkans

We are helping North Macedonia and Serbia because of the breakdowns in their energy systems, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov announced at an emergency briefing following widespread power outages in the Balkans. “In the early hours..

published on 5/18/25 5:45 PM
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration

Premier Zhelyazkov congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration

Bulgaria’s Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov congratulated Pope Leo XIV after his inauguration as the leader of the Catholic Church. Rosen Zhelyazkov wished Pope Leo XIV health, longevity and wisdom. The two had a brief conversation after the official..

published on 5/18/25 5:04 PM