Bulgaria's block on Macedonian EU advances stays - despite pressure from the EU.

[Linebacker]

Bulgaria blocked discussions among EU ministers on North Macedonia’s bid to start negotiations to join the bloc in November. The veto also prevented Albania from starting accession talks, as in terms of EU enlargement, the EU treats Skopje and Tirana as a package.

The European Union warned Bulgaria that it risks undermining security in the Balkans - and wider Europe - if continues to block membership talks for North Macedonia.

Despite pressure from the EU commission and their recent claim of Bulgarian discrimination to Macedonian minorities, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov reaffirmed Bulgaria's position and claimed there will be no compromise reached until agreed Bulgarian demands for the RNM to admit its roots, the origins of its language and the end of dispute of historical characters are met.

Sofia blames Skopje for failing to deliver on the bilateral friendship treaty of August 2017 by not changing textbooks containing what it calls historic falsifications and hate speech against Bulgaria, for allowing anti-Bulgarian rhetoric and for blocking business and joint infrastructure projects. Sofia and Skopje are also the only capitals in Europe without a railways link.

[Linebacker]

Crn Dork having a mental breakdown in an Australian basement:

[Crn Volk]

Good, good. Bulgaria is starting to behave like Serbia in 1990s. Keep it up....

[Linebacker]

Serbia had nothing to bargain with in 1992. We control most of the EU's trade corridors to the Middle East and Asian world.

If it comes down to a choice between Macedonia and Bulgaria the EU will choose us. It is in Macedonia's greatest interest to accept terms and continue with its EU talks. It is actually the ONLY option there is.

Left wing politicians on the EU council will defend Macedonia's position so they seem do-gooders helping the small country against the "aggressor" but they cannot do anything to help.

[Crn Volk]

Serbia had nothing to bargain with in 1992. We control most of the EU's trade corridors to the Middle East and Asian world.

If it comes down to a choice between Macedonia and Bulgaria the EU will choose us. It is in Macedonia's greatest interest to accept terms and continue with its EU talks. It is actually the ONLY option there is.

Left wing politicians on the EU council will defend Macedonia's position so they seem do-gooders helping the small country against the "aggressor" but they cannot do anything to help.

It's not just Left. V4 nations support us against Bulgar aggression also. They are firm backers of VMRO-DPMNE.

[Linebacker]

It's not just Left. V4 nations support us against Bulgar aggression also. They are firm backers of VMRO-DPMNE.

There is only one VMRO, and it is this one

https://vmro.bg/

[Lemon Kush]

What does joining the EU even mean, what beneficial thing comes from that? I can't even see the video it says its banned in my country.

[Fedora]

What does joining the EU even mean, what beneficial thing comes from that? I can't even see the video it says its banned in my country.

As an EU national you have basically free movement within EU with just a national identity card and have the right to move to any EU country to live, work.

[Lemon Kush]

As an EU national you have basically free movement within EU with just a national identity card and have the right to move to any EU country to live, work.

But that's my point, Bulgaria is already handing out BG passports to Macedonian citizens anyway, so it must not mean much. Macedonians have a huge demographic problem with Shqiptars in there borders and further emigration would only contribute to that.

[Linebacker]

The EU may be pointless to a country like the UK or France or Norway but to a small country like North Macedonia the EU is everything, its their best chance for any development, just like it was everything to us 13 years ago. The life standard here has hugely improved since we became a member.