Rocznik_2014-215

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22 Mladen Karadzoski, Artur Adamczyk key areas; and third, that a special council be formed to deal with the organisation of annual intergovernmental meetings. 37 Concerned that his country might be facing further international isolation, the Macedonian prime minister accepted Bulgaria’s conditions. 38 But even despite this declaration, the relations between the two countries kept deteriorating in 2013. The escalation of tensions was caused by repressions against Macedonians of Bulgarian origin in the town of Strumica and appropriation by Macedonia of Bulgaria’s historical heroes and their achievements. But the greatest consternation among Bulgarians was caused by the screening of the movie ‘Third Half’, which accused Bulgarians of collaboration with the Nazis and aiding them in committing the Holocaust against Jews during World War II. 39 Nationalist rhetoric surged in the speeches delivered by politicians from both countries. It seems that at a certain point it got out of control and was used mainly for the purpose of internal political games preceding the parliamentary elections in both countries. At the moment, Bulgaria’s position remains unchanged. The government in Sofia still demands that Macedonia sign the agreement on good neighbourly practice and that it cease all attempts to falsify history and any other actions contributing to the worsening of the relations between the two countries. 40 Conclusion Macedonia’s road to the European Union seems particularly bumpy. Despite the implemented reforms and the determination of consecutive governments to obtain a membership in Western European struc- 37 Bulgaria’s Brussels Blockade Leaves Macedonia Bitter, “Balkan Insight”, 14 December 2012, available at: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bulgaria-s-brussels-blockade-leaves-macedoniabitter, last accessed on: 21 September 2014. 38 Macedonia Accepts Bulgaria’s Terms for Support, “Balkan Insight”, 5 December 2012, available at: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-accepts-bulgarian-terms-for-support, last accessed on: 21 September 2014. 39 Bulgaria’s Relations with Macedonia: Reset Or Reverse, The Sofia Globe, available at: http://sofialglobe.com/2013/01/10/bulgarias-relations-with-macedonia-reset-or-reverse/, last accessed on: 12 September 2014. 40 Bulgaria Continues Sting Conditions for Macedonia’s EU, NATO Accession, Focus News Agency, 23 July 2014, available at: http://www.focus-fen.net/news, last accessed on: 12 September 2014. Rocznik Instytutu Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej • Rok 12 (2014) • Zeszyt 3
Macedonia’s Difficult Path to the European Union 23 tures, the country still has no tangible prospects for accession. The unresolved dispute between Greece and Macedonia concerning the name of the country and the strained relations between Skopje and Sofia keep preventing Macedonia from participating in the processes of European integration. The Macedonian society is already tired and feels humiliated by the long wait for the EU’s decision on commencing accession negotiations. On the other hand, Macedonia’s leading political party, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO – DPMNE), does not exhibit any inclination towards reconciliation with the neighbours. On the contrary, it tries to gain political support by taking advantage of the Macedonians’ patriotic feelings by promoting a sense of threat to their national identity. 41 The lack of tangible prospects for joining the EU causes increasing tensions among Macedonia’s citizens and leads to a surge of nationalist sentiments. The Albanian minority protests against the government’s policy, which has a rather liberal attitude to the country’s name. Politicians do not stand the test of time and forget about implementing pro-democratic reforms. Macedonia is more and more often criticised for lowering democratic standards, infringing on the freedom of the media, corruption and nepotism. Macedonia’s path to the EU is now blocked not only by the unresolved dispute with Greece and Bulgaria, but also by failing to observe European values. Bibliography Analytical Report for the Opinion on the Application from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for EU Membership, Commission of the European Communities Brussels, 9 November 2005, SEC (2005) 1425, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/pdf/key_docusments/2005/package/sec_1425_final_analytical_report_mk_en.pdf, last accessed on: 10 August 2014 41 Bulgaria’s Brussels Blockade Leaves Macedonia Bitter, “Balkan Insight”, 14 December 2012, available at: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bulgaria-s-brussels-blockade-leaves-maceadonia-bitter, last accessed on: 12 September 2014. Rocznik Instytutu Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej • Rok 12 (2014) • Zeszyt 3
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About the Authors Artur Adamczyk -
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