On Saurday, lawmakers in North Macedonia approved the France-supported settlement of ending the dispute with Bulgaria to pave the way for their EU membership process.
The document was approved by 68 votes out of 120 ones, however, the representatives of the decision apposition didn't participate at the voting and left the hall.
North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski said in a press conference after the parliament's approval: “Today we are opening a new perspective for our country, from today we are moving with accelerated steps to join the EU family."
Kovacevski added that the first round of talks between the country and the European bloc will be on Tuesday.
Early this month, the government of North Macedonia said it had backed a deal that would settle an ongoing row with Bulgaria, and which would open the door for EU membership talks.
Kovačevski met with government coalition partners to examine a proposal coming from the French EU presidency to overcome the latest series of tensions between both countries over language, history, and the rights of ethnic Bulgarians in North Macedonia.
The Prime Minister said: “The proposal is considered a solid basis for building a serious, responsible and ambitious position regarding the opportunity being opened for our country.”
According to a senior official in North Macedonia, the government can move without parliamentary approval.
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