Former Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski, who tried his hand at a mission of good will with Bulgaria, warned the neighboring country that it can’t expect all alignment on historic issues to be in its favor.

A shared history between Bulgaria and Macedonia can’t be made only on the basis of Bulgarian history. If something is shared, it can’t belong to just one side. There are tensions on both sides, mistakes are made, and the veto will be a blow to both countries, Buckovski said.

Bulgaria yesterday announced that it will not allow the opening of EU accession talks with Macedonia as Macedonia did not agree to enough concessions. Bulgaria wants Macedonia to rewrite its history along Bulgarian lines.

Buckovski joined another former Prime Minister, Ljubco Georgievski, who obtained Bulgarian citizenship to escape political persecution from the SDSM party in Macedonia 15 years ago, to try and stave off the Bulgarian veto.