Political Instability in Bulgaria Impacts North Macedonia’s EU Aspirations

Aleksandar Nikoloski, North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, stated that the country’s challenges in advancing EU accession talks stem not from major EU players like France but rather from what he described as "the weakest or second weakest EU country"—Bulgaria. He emphasized that if the European Union is determined for North Macedonia to begin negotiations, it could happen promptly, as there are no obstacles posed by powerful member states such as France.

Nikoloski noted that the most critical meeting for Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski was with French President Emmanuel Macron, whom he described as the EU's most influential leader....