Ilhan Kyuchyuk: Skopje must clearly choose the EU and meet the minimum standards

The Bulgarian-European dialogue on the topic of sanctions against Russia and the sharp remark by Prime Minister Radev that "if necessary, there will be a veto" on the next package of measures against Moscow have at least two interpretations at the national level, and in parallel, two different emphases are forming in European politics. This is how MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk from the "Renew Europe" group described the situation.

"In a national context, there are at least two interpretations. Two interpretations are also beginning to take shape in European politics. One is the behavior of states like Germany and France, which believe that Ukraine must be financed until the end because it is the only way for the Russian Federation to sit down at the negotiating table. The other is the recent behavior of António Costa - the EU President, who sent a clear message that he wants to start shaping some channel of relations between the Russian Federation and the EU," Kyuchyuk explained.

He emphasized that on key principles, the Union's position remains unchanged: "When we talk about the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political perspective for Ukraine, the EU's position is unchanged and will not change, because that would mean respecting the right of every state to determine its own borders and choose the alliances it belongs to. For Ukraine, joining the EU is a priority."

Regarding the Bulgarian line in the debate on sanctions, Ilhan Kyuchyuk also sees a dual nuance: "I would also view the Bulgarian position in two shades. At the moment, we are forming a process, not a result, because the drafting of sanctions itself is a political process in which member states account for their national specifics at different levels. Bulgaria's national specificity was stated as being the same as that of Slovakia. Countries like Germany and Italy also had objections to the 21st sanctions package."

Against this backdrop, MEPs voted that the reforms in the Republic of North Macedonia are not at a sufficient level to begin actual negotiation chapters and intergovernmental conferences for membership. According to Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Skopje's future in the EU depends on a clear internal choice and consensus.

"The Republic of North Macedonia must decide at the level of its political elite where it wants to be - whether in the European Union or outside it. Undoubtedly, it is the strategic interest of both North Macedonia and Bulgaria as a neighboring and brotherly state to North Macedonia, as well as the enlargement policy of the European Union, for it to happen. But it cannot happen at any cost. There are minimum standards that must be met," explained Kyuchyuk.

He stressed that the EU enlargement process requires not only the technical fulfillment of criteria but also a stable political consensus within the candidate country itself. According to him, Skopje must clearly and unequivocally show that it is ready to fulfill its commitments and adhere to European rules – both in terms of reforms and in terms of good neighborly relations with Bulgaria and the other countries in the region.