During his rally in Ohrid, VMRO leader Hristijan Mickoski had a message for Bulgaria, which is blocking Macedonia’s EU accession talks, as it demands major concessions from the Zaev regime on issues of national identity.

We have no right to be angry at Bulgaria. It is natural that they will protect their national interests. What hurts us is that our country is led by people who are willing to accept all, to haggle about everything. This is not about the lack of understanding between the two sides, but lack of wisdom from the Macedonian Government. The pressure it puts on our members of the historic commission leads to further fights and poor relations. The Prime Minister gives promises to Sofia, and is not driven by the need to protect our national interests. He is driven by his need to remain in office for a few days more. He keeps lying to our neighbors, and to his own people. Hundreds of problems stream from this one man. We adopted a resolution in the Macedonian Parliament, proposed by VMRO, and he accepted it. The red lines outlined there bound him to and his behavior in this dispute which did not even exist five years ago, Mickoski said.

He added that Bulgaria and other neighbors will find an open hand from VMRO-DPMNE, but that the party will protect Macedonia’s national interests. Mickoski called on President Pendarovski to intervene in this crisis.