Timcho Mucunski: Dialogue with Bulgaria continues, meeting with Petrova‑Chamova possible in December
The foreign minister says bilateral and EU-level talks will go on despite the Mihailova incident; another encounter with Petrova‑Chamova could happen at December ministerial meetings.
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski told reporters that dialogue with Bulgaria remains active despite the case of Iva Mihailova, and that a new meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova could take place in December.
Diplomatic contacts to continue alongside judicial concerns
Mucunski spoke at a joint press conference with his Slovak counterpart, Juraj Blanár, who is on an official visit to Skopje. He said bilateral talks with Sofia are ongoing and complemented by active exchanges with European institutions and individual EU member states that are assisting efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute blocking North Macedonia's EU path.
Asked about the escape of Iva Mihailova — a dual Macedonian and Bulgarian citizen who left for Bulgaria despite a court ban while she faces trial in Kočani over a fatal traffic accident — Mucunski stressed expectations that EU members uphold the highest standards of the rule of law. He criticised the practice of EU territory becoming a refuge for people convicted, suspected or charged in criminal proceedings elsewhere.
On the wider political track, he argued there is no guarantee a solution will be found and that Skopje will not accept short-term fixes that leave the country back at the same impasse later. He noted recent positive comments about domestic reforms from the President of the European Commission and heard confirmation from an EU foreign minister that North Macedonia has a stable government committed to reforms.
Regarding timing for another meeting with Petrova-Chamova, Mucunski said none is scheduled yet, but added one could happen on the sidelines of NATO or OSCE ministerial meetings in December. He also noted that North Macedonia expects to host the Southeast Europe Cooperation Platform meeting that month, which could provide another meeting opportunity.
On whether to comment more about the Mihailova case, Mucunski said he was deliberately restrained so his words would not be used in Bulgaria's presidential campaign; the second round there is scheduled for Sunday, 1 November. He insisted Skopje will continue the dialogue based on the positions the government has long defended.
Photo: Arhiva
