Mickoski: The Constitution Protects the Rights of Bulgarians in Macedonia, but Macedonians Do Not Enjoy the Same Protection in Bulgaria

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said that politics is built through dialogue and that he is among the politicians who insist on talks until a solution is found. According to him, discussions will continue both in the first case and in the second, while a solution will be sought within the red lines that have already been defined.

He stressed that the country’s Constitution guarantees strong protection of the rights of every citizen, including members of the Bulgarian community.

Referring to a statement by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who said he would support EU enlargement but that the demands for fulfilling obligations and protecting Bulgarians in the country remain in force, Mickoski stressed that constitutional guarantees apply to all communities. He added that this assessment was not made by him alone, but also by the Council of Europe, the institution responsible for human rights, which for this reason ended its monitoring mission in the country.

According to Mickoski, although the Constitution guarantees human rights for all citizens and communities, the issue of the Macedonian community in Bulgaria remains unresolved. He recalled that Bulgaria has ratified its commitment to respect human rights, but continues to refuse to register associations of the Macedonian community, including OMO Ilinden Pirin, despite dozens of rulings by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Mickoski also said that honest dialogue is needed between the partners and that he remains open to talks on this issue at all times.

He explained that he is ready to sit down at the negotiating table at any time, but does not support meetings held merely as a formality, without producing any result, as he does not want to waste time. Mickoski expects diplomatic efforts to bring the positions of both sides closer together and, if conditions for rapprochement are created, he is ready to meet with him.