Сајт Илустрации

TOWARD AN EXIT POINT FROM THE ENLARGEMENT CUL-DE-SAC POSED BY THE MACEDONIAN-BULGARIAN DISPUTE

byCivica Mobilitas

The Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje, in conjunction with the Balkan Trust for Democracy-The German Marshall Fund of the United States, and the National Endowment for Democracy is proud to present its multi-perspective study on the Bulgarian-Macedonian dispute. This study, entitled: “Toward an Exit Point from the Enlargement Cul-de-Sac Posed by the Macedonian-Bulgarian Dispute,” is authored by Katerina Kolozova (North Macedonia), and Stefan Detchev (Bulgaria), who both present their own analyses, and seeks to find resolutions to the dispute, through a multi-policy approach, which is both introspective and proscriptive, offering a balanced and unbiased approach, which also examines but does not solely rely upon similar disputes among different countries in the past (French-German, German-Polish, Polish-Ukrainian, Polish-Russian, Hungarian-Slovak, Greek-Macedonian, etc). The study offers a model of resolving identity disputes, overcoming nationalism, promoting cooperation, and moving beyond simple historical or cultural argumentation in favour of real, concrete solutions. Likewise, and of great importance, it also serves to unblock the EU enlargement process and also provide model solutions for any possible future dispute of a similar nature that might damage the EU integration processes in the Western Balkans. One of the biggest through lines throughout the study is the need to completely overhaul the education system, and the production of textbooks in both countries in order to both better reflect the actual historical state of affairs from a neutral angle, while simultaneously allowing for the acceptance and appreciation of cultural differences and perspectives. Many other recommendations are made, and the analyses produce many practical solutions, and clarifications of ways to move past the current deadlock between the two countries.

The study “Toward an Exit Point from the Enlargement Cul-de-Sac Posed by the Macedonian-Bulgarian Dispute” is available HERE.

Продолжи со читање

  • Journalists Decode EU Institutions, Acquis, and Enlargement Policies

    On 16–17 October 2026, the European Policy Institute (EPI) organized the first training module under the project “Decode the EU – Communicating EU policies together” in Strumica. The two-day workshop brought together 10 journalists from diverse media outlets, aiming to strengthen analytical, evidence-based reporting on North Macedonia’s EU accession journey.The…

  • MoU with the British Business Association in North Macedonia

    🤝 Strong economies are built on strong partnerships. Finance Think and the British Business Association in North Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday, laying the foundation for closer cooperation on issues of importance to the business community, policymakers and society. The partnership brings together the British Business Association’s extensive business network and Finance Think’s […]
    The post MoU with the British Business Association in North Macedonia first appeared on Finance Think.
    The post MoU with the British Business Association in North Macedonia appeared first on Finance Think.

  • On pension matters, participation in Bloomberg

    🔴 What awaits future pensioners? 🟥 What kind of pension model do we need, and who will bear the burden of future reforms? 📌 Without measures, the deficit in the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund will continue to grow, and by the mid-2040s there will be fewer insured persons than pensioners, according to a study […]
    The post On pension matters, participation in Bloomberg first appeared on Finance Think.
    The post On pension matters, participation in Bloomberg appeared first on Finance Think.

  • Is Political Interference Addressed in the Frameworks of the Prosecutorial Councils in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina?

    This policy brief examines the frameworks governing prosecutorial councils in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to assess whether their laws ensure adequate independence in line with European standards. The rule of law and an independent justice system are fundamental to the European Union’s enlargement process, particularly within the crucial Chapter 23. A cornerstone of […]
    The post Is Political Interference Addressed in the Frameworks of the Prosecutorial Councils in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina? appeared first on EPI.

  • Raising the Bar on Integrity: Aligning North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina with the 2026 EU Anti-Corruption Directive

    This policy brief evaluates anti-corruption alignment and structural vulnerabilities in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina against the EU’s Directive (EU) 2026/1021 on Combatting Corruption. Within the European Union’s “Fundamentals First” enlargement methodology, establishing an accountable administration, an independent judiciary, and robust anti-corruption enforcement is a primary condition for membership. Despite significant differences in their […]
    The post Raising the Bar on Integrity: Aligning North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina with the 2026 EU Anti-Corruption Directive appeared first on EPI.