There is no need for a mediator in relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, MEP Andrey Kovatchev told BNR on the occasion of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's proposal to mediate between Sofia and Skopje.

Regarding the decoupling of North Macedonia and Albania on their ЕU accession path, Andrey Kovatchev said that the main narrative of North Macedonia’s leadership is that the country is being blocked by Sofia, and that “the bad Bulgarians are to blame for everything”.

“Bulgaria has always supported and continues to support the EU integration of all Western Balkan countries, but they must do their homework”, MEP Kovatchev added. "Regarding the Republic of North Macedonia, the main homework is to overcome hatred and the falsification of history, because that is where the discrimination of people who now want to identify as Bulgarians comes from."

Andrey Kovatchev also stated that the negotiating framework for North Macedonia will remain intact.

• Bulgaria's caretaker PM says no new talks with Skopje