Bulgaria's Radev puts Serbia on notice: Improve minority rights or forget EU bid

Sofia, June 5, 2024 — Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has expressed concerns over the treatment of Bulgaria's minority in Serbia, hinting that Sofia may reassess its support for Serbia's European Union (EU) membership.

Radev cited instances of discrimination and hate speech against Bulgarians in Serbia, which he believes creates a difficult environment for them to live in.

This development marks a significant shift in Bulgaria's stance on Serbia's EU accession process. Historically, Bulgaria has been a strong supporter of Serbia's bid.

However, if the situation for Bulgarians in Serbia does not improve, Sofia may reconsider its backing.The Bulgarian president's comments are reminiscent of the country's previous veto of North Macedonia's EU accession process in 2020, which was also linked to issues of hate speech and historical disputes.

This precedent may influence Bulgaria's approach to Serbia's EU membership bid if the situation for Bulgarians in Serbia does not change.

This article was adapted from a piece originally published by Euractiv. [Link to the original Euractiv]