Zaev in trouble with Bulgarians, these do not accept a Macedonian “ling”

Macedonia's prime minister, Zoran Zaev, has responded to recent statements by Bulgaria's top officials regarding his statements on the Macedonian language and nation.

He has stressed that no one in the world can contest the right of ethnic determination, which according to Zaev is the European value that must be accepted by all. The reactions of Bulgarian officials had followed a statement by the chief executive in Skopje that, “The Prespa Agreement confirms the existence of the Macedonian language, and that no one would have the right to counter”.

Krasimir Karakacanov, deputy prime minister for security and defence minister in Bulgaria, warned Zaev not to misuse the Macedonian language theme. “This could cost you NATO and EU membership”, he said, stressing that Northern Macedonia is geographical appointment that includes territories of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Macedonia and Bulgaria reached the good neighbourly agreement on 1 August, through which they are expected to resolve historical disputes involving the Macedonian language, culture and history of the Second World War. The agreement was also signed in Macedonian, which Bulgarian officials now deny. / TCh/