VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said that Bulgaria needs to step back from its maximalist demands, and if it doesn’t the Zaev Government must stop its negotiations.

When it comes to Zoran Zaev, I believe he is capable of anything, of course if it doesn’t cost him or his family. He is ready to sell anything of value that others have fought for and gained. He is fully prepared to sign an annex to the treaty with Bulgaria and accept all maximalist, hegemonic demands. Positions from Bulgaria, like from the Deputy Speaker of their Parliament, is that we and the Bulgarians are one nation. If our positions are so diametrically opposed, then there is nothing to negotiate about. We need to sit down like men and say that the treaty, as it was signed, is exhausted, and we can’t negotiate any further. Either they step back from their positions, or we, as a country, need to abandon the treaty, Mickoski said.

The opposition leader pointed to the positions of the European Union officials who, he said, remain silent while Macedonia is being humiliated.

I could try to win favors in our eastern neighbor or other neighbors, or before Brussels authorities. But I feel what the citizens are saying about the situation. Macedonian citizens are being humiliated, with the name and Constitution changes, against their will. The credibility of the Parliament was ruined with the trading and pardons given to representatives just so that they will vote for the name change. And we were being assured that all conditions are met, even though we said that other, new demands will arise. And now the European bureaucrats remain silent while Zaev sells out our identity, Mickoski said.