Bulgaria’s President Warns EU Vote on North Macedonia, Condemns Embassy Car Arson in Skopje

President Iliana Yotova has described the arson attack on Bulgarian diplomatic vehicles in Skopje as an attack on Bulgaria itself, calling on European lawmakers to address the incident during upcoming discussions in the European Parliament.

Further reading: Macedonian Police Detain Man Over Arson Attack on Bulgarian Embassy Vehicles in Skopje

Speaking ahead of key debates and a vote on North Macedonia’s EU accession progress report, Yotova warned that the next two days would be decisive. She said there are indications that last-minute amendments could be introduced in plenary aimed at removing references to the joint historical commission established under the Good Neighbourliness Agreement, which she argued would undermine its work.

Yotova stressed that the commission operates under the agreed framework and should not be politically weakened. She said “this issue is part of the protocol, which is part of the negotiating framework and mandatory European legislation”, urging MEPs to act with restraint and institutional consistency.

She also called for the Skopje arson incident to be raised in the European Parliament debate. Referring to the destroyed diplomatic vehicles, she said “this is the property of the Bulgarian state and I personally accept it as an attack on Bulgaria”, adding that the event should not be overlooked during discussions on North Macedonia’s EU path.

According to Yotova, the situation requires broader political attention given the sensitivity of bilateral relations and the ongoing accession process. She appealed for what she described as reasoned dialogue among MEPs, warning against decisions that could complicate the work of existing bilateral mechanisms.

In parallel remarks on international affairs, Yotova commented on the emerging US-Iran agreement, saying she would avoid firm conclusions until the final text is published. She noted that a 60-day negotiation period is expected after the initial signing, which would determine the practical implementation of the deal.

She highlighted the importance of restoring stability in global shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Yotova said reopening the waterway would require time and technical work, pointing out that it had previously been mined and would likely need clearance operations. She added that several European countries are already discussing possible support for such efforts.

Yotova emphasized that the wider conflict has global consequences, stating that “this conflict has entered the home of every citizen”, and underlined the need for a lasting truce backed by guarantees for both sides.