Skopje Disappointed with "We Continue the Change"

The uplifting and optimistic comments in the Republic of North Macedonia on the forthcoming appointment of Daniel Laurer from "We Continue the Change" as Bulgarian Foreign Minister were quickly replaced by disappointment after Laurer said it was unrealistic for the country to be allowed to start membership talks for the European Union by the end of the year.

Laurer told BTV Radio that December 14, when the last summit of the year of the European Union will take place, is an unrealistically short deadline for reaching a comprehensive agreement.

"Obviously we have some ideas for positions in our team, but all this is to be finalized as a result of the coalition negotiations that are coming in the coming weeks. Comments from the Republic of North Macedonia, which comment on our previous statements, should not influence the decisions in our country."

This was the comment of Daniel Laurer on the enthusiastic statement of the chief negotiator with Bulgaria from North Macedonia Vlado Buchkovski that Laurer will be Bulgaria's foreign minister and with him a solution to the Bulgarian veto will be found, as well as the comments of politicians and analysts in Bulgaria that it is absurd for Skopje to determine who will be a diplomat №1 in our country.

Speaking to bTV radio, Laurer did not deny that he had been discussed for the post of foreign minister and said that the historical commission between the two countries could not be the only factor determining our policy.

"So far, we believe that the work of the historical commission does not offer progress and both sides feel dissatisfied with what is happening and we need to find a new formula. Its function should be supportive, but not the only one in this process. The dispute...