Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused European Union officials of damaging North Macedonia’s “national pride” by further delaying the country’s bid to join the bloc. During a visit to North Macedonia, Orbán offered to mediate with EU member Bulgaria, whose dispute with Skopje over Balkan history and heritage triggered the new delay. This delay came after EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels decided to push ahead with Albania’s EU accession process independently of North Macedonia’s. Both countries began membership talks with Brussels in 2022, with their bids previously moving together, but Orbán believes it would be a mistake to separate the two.
The delay in North Macedonia’s bid was mainly due to a dispute with Bulgaria over Balkan history, language, and culture. While the previous centre-left government in Skopje accepted a Bulgarian demand to include a reference to a Bulgarian ethnic minority in its constitution, it did not have the parliamentary majority to make the change. The new conservative government led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has stated that they will only amend the constitution if Bulgaria first approves North Macedonia’s EU membership. Previously, North Macedonia’s EU path was blocked by Greece over a similar dispute regarding history and heritage, which was ultimately resolved with the 2018 Prespa Agreement that led to the country changing its name from “the Republic of Macedonia.”
Orbán emphasized the need for finding the best solutions for North Macedonia’s EU accession process and offered to mediate the dispute with Bulgaria to help move things forward. He believes that separating North Macedonia’s bid from Albania’s would be a big mistake and has called for the two countries to continue moving together in the enlargement process. North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has expressed frustration over the slow progress towards EU membership, likening it to waiting for Godot. However, the country remains committed to fulfilling the necessary requirements to join the EU and is working to overcome the current obstacles in its path to membership.
The delay in North Macedonia’s EU bid has raised concerns about the impact on the country’s national pride, as Orbán accused EU officials of denting North Macedonia’s sense of identity by prolonging the process. The dispute with Bulgaria over Balkan history and heritage has been a major obstacle in the accession process, with various demands and conditions needing to be met in order to move forward. The offer of mediation from Orbán and the willingness of North Macedonia’s government to amend its constitution demonstrate a commitment to finding a resolution and advancing towards EU membership. The country’s efforts to address the concerns of neighboring countries and meet the necessary criteria for accession highlight its determination to join the European Union despite the challenges it faces along the way.
Overall, the situation surrounding North Macedonia’s EU bid reflects the complex issues involved in the enlargement process and the impact of historical disputes on the path to membership. The involvement of neighboring countries in the process and the need to address their concerns have contributed to delays and obstacles along the way. However, the willingness of North Macedonia’s government to work towards a resolution and the support offered by Hungary and other EU member states indicate a commitment to overcoming these challenges and moving forward in the accession process. Despite the frustrations expressed by President Siljanovska-Davkova, North Macedonia remains determined to fulfill the necessary requirements and join the European Union, highlighting the importance of finding solutions to the current impasse and advancing towards EU membership.
