Episode 61: Bulgaria blocks North Macedonia’s EU aspirations

>>> Support the podcast, become a patron: <a href="http://www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope" rel="noopener">www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope</a> <br /><br />On November 17 2020, Bulgaria officially vetoed the European Union’s accession talks with North Macedonia. Officially, the dispute is over unresolved historical and language issues. Despite some progress in its Euro-Atlantic aspirations – which includes joining NATO in June 2020 – there are now many questions as to what next for the small former-Yugoslav country.<br />In this episode, Adam meets up with Bojan Stojkovski – a journalist based in Skopje, North Macedonia. They discuss the background of the Bulgarian veto and its effect on Macedonian politics and attitudes to EU integration.<br /><br />Resources: <br />“A case of the tail wagging the dog? Bulgaria, the EU and North Macedonia” By: Tomasz Kamusella New Eastern Europe 10 December 2020: <a href="https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/12/10/a-case-of-the-tail-wagging-the-dog-bulgaria-the-eu-and-north-macedonia/" rel="noopener">https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/12/10/a-case-of-the-tail-wagging-the-dog-bulgaria-the-eu-and-north-macedonia/</a><br />“What lurks behind Bulgaria’s “veto” on North Macedonia’s accession talks?” By: Radosveta Vassileva. New Eastern Europe 30 November 2020: <a href="https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/11/30/what-lurks-behind-bulgarias-veto-on-north-macedonias-accession-talks-%ef%bb%bf/" rel="noopener">https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/11/30/what-lurks-behind-bulgarias-veto-on-north-macedonias-accession-talks-%ef%bb%bf/</a> <br /><br />Additional music: Morning Rhythm by Rafael Krux. Link: <a href="https://filmmusic.io/song/5338-morning-rhythm-" rel="noopener">https://filmmusic.io/song/5338-morning-rhythm-</a> License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="noopener">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a> <br /><br />Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network. Learn more here: <a href="https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod" rel="noopener">https://www.b