Professor Stojko Stojkov, co-chair of the OMI Ilinden Pirin organization in the Republic of Bulgaria, said in an interview with Macedonian Radio that he was not surprised by Bulgaria’s position on vetoing the start of negotiations.
It is crucial for Bulgaria to challenge the Macedonian language, because it denies the very existence of the Macedonian nation, and on the other hand will deprive any opportunity in the future to seek recognition of the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, which is a key problem for Bulgaria. If the Macedonian language is a special language and even more so that in the past it was studied in Bulgaria, then it is clear that the Bulgarian position cannot be protected, said Stojkov.
According to him, the goal of such a strategy is to reduce the Macedonian people and language to the territory of the Republic of Macedonia and only in the period after 1944.
Macedonia plays a very passive position, it does not demand anything from Bulgaria, and Bulgaria constantly imposes its demands. Like any nation, the Macedonian one should know its national interests and defend them. The principle of solidarity between members of a nation should be respected. We are also Macedonians and we expect that our other Macedonian brothers are concerned about our position and will support us out of solidarity, added Stojkov.
