The Geopolitics of North Macedonia’s Accession to the EU. Pressures from Bulgaria

The Geopolitics of North Macedonia’s Accession to the EU. Pressures from Bulgaria

North Macedonia’s EU accession talks are being halted because of Bulgaria’s insistence that the neighboring country stops appropriating history and acknowledges it speaks a Bulgarian dialect. However, the issue escalated recently when Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said North Macedonia can only become an EU member if it became a part of Bulgaria or an…

Why Will Bulgaria Veto North Macedonia’s EU Accession but Did Not Block Its NATO Membership?

Why Will Bulgaria Veto North Macedonia’s EU Accession but Did Not Block Its NATO Membership?

Bulgaria’s veto against North Macedonia’s accession into the European Union (EU) remains very likely despite initial speculations that it would not obstruct the former Yugoslav country from joining the bloc. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva said that her country would block North Macedonia from joining the EU if it did not recognize that its national identity and…