Skopje and Sofia: Do talks enter a new phase?
Debate in Skopje after Ursula von der Leyen’s visit highlights sharp differences between VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM over talks with Sofia.
Government and opposition in North Macedonia remain deeply divided over how to handle the dispute with Bulgaria, with each side offering contrasting readings of recent diplomatic activity.
VMRO-DPMNE says a meeting with Sofia is a positive step and “it is good to have a meeting,” while SDSM warns that a trip to Sofia risks providing “an additional argument for further blocking the process.”
New momentum after a high-level visit
The visit of Ursula von der Leyen to Skopje has triggered a renewed diplomatic push and raised expectations about North Macedonia’s EU accession track. Political actors in Skopje are debating whether that momentum can be converted into concrete progress with Bulgaria or whether longstanding differences will again stall talks.
On the nightly political programme hosted by Natasha Stojanovska, MP Antonio Milososki of VMRO-DPMNE and Fani Karanfilova Panovska, deputy chair of SDSM, exchanged views on the outlook for negotiations with Sofia and the next steps for European integration.
Both parties framed the situation differently: VMRO-DPMNE presented engagement with Sofia as useful and necessary, while SDSM portrayed such moves as potentially tactical opportunities for Sofia to press for new preconditions. Observers say the answers will determine whether the talks enter a new phase or remain stalled.
Photo: press material from the event
