Bulgaria's position on the 09/03/21 statement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Z. Zaev, concerning the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia
06 September 2021 News
Bulgaria's position on the 09/03/21 statement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Z. Zaev, concerning the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia
Bulgaria's position on the topic of respecting the rights of Bulgarian citizens and citizens with Bulgarian identity in the Republic of North Macedonia has been repeatedly stated. The problems that Bulgarians have faced in the past and, unfortunately, continue to face to this day are well known: repression, hate speech and unequal treatment solely for expressing their Bulgarian identity.
The continuing practice of perpetuating prejudices and negative stereotypes towards Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people, including through the media, textbooks and monuments, as well as attacks on Bulgarian national symbols and plaques, further contribute to negative attitudes and unfavorable environment for Bulgarian citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Bulgaria insists on a clear and unequivocal position of authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia, which includes concrete actions to build an integrated society based on the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Guaranteeing the constitutional rights of the citizens with Bulgarian self-identification on an equal footing with all other citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, without discrimination, would solve a number of existential issues for those citizens.
The importance of maintaining good neighborly relations, and in particular the strict implementation, in good faith, of bilateral agreements with EU Member States has been repeatedly emphasized by the Council of the EU. The implementation by the Republic of North Macedonia of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation is of key importance and remains a prerequisite for progress in the process of the country's accession to the EU.
Bulgaria will pay special attention to all processes related to the creation of the necessary conditions for free self-identification of citizens with Bulgarian consciousness.