EU and the Bulgarian-Macedonian conflict

Abstract

The problem addressed in this article is the lifting of the Bulgarian veto on the start of the EU accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia (and Albania). It traces the main stages of the prolonged Bulgarian-Macedonian dispute and the development of the postures of both parties. It also explicates the domestic political situation in both countries and the causes under which the dispute aggravates and mitigates. Consequently, the unexpected willingness of Brussels for maximum concessions to Sofia’s ultimatums, actually contradictory to its principles, is explained. An apparently impulsive decision to grant, notwithstanding the established procedures, a candidate status for admission to Ukraine and Moldova tested the EU’s relations with the Balkan region. After having long stood in line, the leaders of the Western Balkan states viewed this step with jealousy and did not hide their disappointment. Under these conditions, the European Union felt it imperative to do something at any cost to revive the idea of «enlargement» in their eyes and restore its authority. However, in the end, the Bulgarian-Macedonian dispute is only ostensibly resolved, but in fact only mothballed. Therefore the difficult socio-political situation and the balance of power in both countries will not provide for rapid progress either in their relationship or in the EU negotiation with Skopje. The forecast in conclusion is that such tactics are unlikely to have a positive impact on the authority of the European Union in the Western Balkans. But the new idea of the «EU political community» put forward by Emmanuel Macron and supported by Olaf Scholz will probably continue to disguise the obvious fact that the EU in its current form is not ready to accept new members.

Keywords

• north macedonia
• bulgaria
• bulgarian veto
• western balkans
• enlargement of the eu