Macedonia should recognize that both its national identity and language have Bulgarian roots if it wants to start negotiations with the EU, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said in an interview with Reuters.

Bulgaria could veto the formal launch of accession talks with Macedonia next month unless the two sides can resolve the issue, threatened Zaharieva. Bulgaria, she said, is losing patience over what it sees as Macedonia’s reluctance to implement a friendship treaty the two countries signed in 2017.

Our concerns come from the never-ending claims for a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria. The acknowledgment of Bulgarian roots would put an end to this, Zaharieva told Reuters.

If Macedonia agrees, Zaharieva said Sofia was ready to recognize Macedonian as one of the official languages of its neighbor and acknowledge a Macedonian identity.

We are not disputing their right for self-determination, neither their right to call their language what they like. We are ready to re-confirm the current realities, but they have to acknowledge the historical truth, she said.