Specific Steps to Resolve Dispute in Next Two Weeks, Announced Osmani

A specific dialogue and concrete steps to resolve the dispute with Bulgaria are expected in the next two weeks, as well as a second intergovernmental session by the end of the month. This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, who, among other things, said that this summer North Macedonia will wait for Bulgaria and the European Union to take the right step in relation to the country, and if that does not happen, he believes that a line should be drawn. “The June summit may be the last chance to save the relations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, otherwise it will cause historical damage and the Government and the citizens will not spend more energy on one issue,” said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani. If the veto remains, he believes that North Macedonia should continue with reforms and Europeanization at home, but that, he says, does not mean that the Good Neighbourly Agreement is in question or that they will cool relations with Bulgaria. Osmani reiterated that he cannot predict the odds for a quick unblocking. Opposition leader Hristijan Mickoski, on the other hand, believes that the veto will not be lifted in June, and what can really happen is to hold the second intergovernmental session.