Mucunski: High degree of distrust, but talks were constructive

Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said after meeting his Bulgarian counterpart Velislava Chamova Petrova that there is a high degree of distrust between the two sides, but that the conversation took place in a constructive atmosphere and in a positive spirit.

No breakthrough, but dialogue continues

Mucunski said the meeting held on the day produced no substantive agreement and that both sides remain at positions that are “very different and distant.” He stressed that the encounter nevertheless offered scope to maintain and develop the dialogue going forward.

“Between the two sides, apropos the process of our European integration, there exists a high degree of mistrust. For us that mistrust concerns the predictability of the process, but I can say that today's meeting was constructive, in a positive spirit,” Mucunski said.

He added that no core issue was resolved: “It's not that we resolved any substantive issue; the positions are still very distant, no doubt, but we are talking in a positive spirit about developing a dialogue in the period ahead.”

Mucunski also reiterated his government's stance that questions connected to language, identity, history and culture should not encumber North Macedonia's European path. He framed the meeting as a step to keep communication open even where disagreement remains deep.

The foreign minister's comments follow bilateral talks intended to address obstacles in the country’s EU accession process; despite the constructive tone, substantive divisions persisted.

Photo: press material from the event