Bulgaria has no expectations of the Republic of North Macedonia other than those set out in 2022, which it expects to be fulfilled, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said after meeting her counterpart from North Macedonia, Timco Mucunski. The two held talks on the sidelines of the International Ministerial Conference on Corridor VIII in Sofia on Thursday.
“On our part, with regard to the Republic of North Macedonia’s European perspective, we support it, and the conditions for it remain unchanged from 2022. We expect the constitutional amendments to be implemented, along with all other elements of the process agreed upon in 2022,” Petrova said. She asked about North Macedonia’s views of the timeline. “Their view is that a sense of trust must be built. For me, the main way to build trust is by fulfilling commitments,” she said. “I hope we will see positive steps in this direction. It is clear that the other countries in the Western Balkans are finding the political will to move forward,” Petrova added.
Under the European compromise reached in 2022 (often called the French proposal), North Macedonia agreed to alter its basic law to explicitly include ethnic Bulgarians (alongside other minorities) among its recognized state-constituting peoples. The adoption of these constitutional amendments is a strict prerequisite for lifting Bulgaria’s veto and allowing North Macedonia to advance into active EU membership accession negotiations.
The two ministers discussed the issue of Iva Mihaylova’s medical treatment. “It was good news that we received confirmation from North Macedonia that they are willing to accept our doctors, but it is important that this leads to treatment as soon as possible.” Petrova referred to the case as “humanitarian”, adding she hoped the “end result will be that [Mihaylova] receives treatment”.
Mihaylova, a citizen of both Bulgaria and North Macedonia, is standing trial in Kocani, North Macedonia, over a road accident in October 2025 in which one person died and several people, including Mihaylova, were injured. Her identity documents were seized after the accident, preventing her from travelling to Bulgaria for treatment of spinal injuries.
The return of Tsar Samuel’s remains was not discussed at the talks.
Foreign Minister Petrova: “Bulgaria Has No Expectations of North Macedonia Other than Those Set Out in 2022” 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-08 14:50:00
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news. Bulgaria news, Bulgarian news, news from Bulgaria, latest news Bulgaria, breaking news Bulgaria, Bulgaria today, Bulgarian politics, Bulgarian government. Bulgarian economy, Bulgarian business, Bulgarian society, Bulgarian culture, Bulgarian tourism, Bulgarian sports, Bulgarian media, Bulgarian parliament. Sofia news, Plovdiv news, Varna news, Burgas news, Ruse news, Stara Zagora news, Pleven news, Sliven news. Dobrich news, Shumen news, Pernik news, Haskovo news, Yambol news, Pazardzhik news, Blagoevgrad news, Veliko Tarnovo news. Vratsa news, Gabrovo news, Asenovgrad news, Vidin news, Bulgarian local news, Bulgaria current affairs, Bulgaria breaking news, Bulgaria headlines. Balkan news, Southeast Europe news, Bulgarian international news, Bulgaria world news, Bulgarian elections, Bulgaria events, Bulgaria analysis, Bulgaria updates.Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law.
BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-10-08 14:50:00