Geopolitical dependencies influenced the process of drafting and adopting the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) report on North Macedonia’s progress. These dynamics are explored in the BGNES documentary ‘Skopje’s Anti-European Game,’ released just days before the resolution is scheduled for a plenary vote in Strasbourg.

The report, authored by Thomas Waitz, includes the phrase ‘Macedonian identity and language,’ which triggered strong reactions and was used by North Macedonia’s government and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to reinforce political narratives. Behind the public rhetoric, coordinated political strategies appeared to be at play.

Meanwhile, key policymakers framed the deeper challenges as a mere ‘bilateral dispute,’ a term that has conveniently allowed Skopje to sidestep certain international commitments. Central to this ongoing debate is EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.

The documentary follows how, under the influence of the authorities in Skopje and Prime Minister Mickoski, wording was introduced into the report that indirectly affirms the ‘Macedonian language and identity’. The report became entangled with dependencies of certain MEPs and interference by anti-European forces, while the regime of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán obstructed the proposed Bulgarian amendments. | BGNES

Credits
Author: Dimitar Ruskov
Cinematographer: Dimitar Dimitrov
Video Editor: Kliment Hristov