The Bulgarian National Assembly (Parliament) has lifted its veto on the start of accession negotiations for the European Union for North Macedonia and Albania. The decision was supported by the majority of parliamentarians.

This was reported by the publication Sega.

The proposal was supported by 170 deputies, 37 were against, 21 deputies abstained.

However, to fully override the veto of Northern Macedonia must meet several conditions. In particular, to include the Bulgarians in the country's constitution.

Negotiations between Brussels and Skopje must be conducted in such a way that nothing could be interpreted as recognition of the so-called Macedonian language by the Bulgarian side.

Bulgaria must be assured that good neighborliness will be a criterion for assessing the course of the negotiations.

The document states that Bulgaria will support North Macedonia's European integration only if it effectively implements the 2017 Neighborhood Treaty and guarantees the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians by enshrining them in the constitution.

Bulgaria has been blocking the start of negotiations for a year and a half because of Sofia's disputes with Skopje over history and language.