EU integration remains a top priority of North Macedonia’s foreign policy, and the government insists that the process must be guided solely by the Copenhagen criteria, Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski stressed following remarks by European Council President Antonio Costa in Sofia, where Costa stated that it would be reasonable to guarantee North Macedonia that no further conditions will be imposed after constitutional changes are made.
Mucunski further highlighted that EU accession should be built on mutual trust, support, and respect, noting that North Macedonia has already proven itself a reliable partner aligned with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.
Costa acknowledged Skopje’s concerns and agreed that it is important to build trust and offer assurances that current expectations will not be followed by new demands. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zheljazkov also reiterated that Bulgaria will not impose additional conditions beyond those agreed in July 2022.