North Macedonia condemns Bulgarian far-right leader's call for unification

Skopje, January 10, 2025 – North Macedonia has strongly condemned comments made by a Bulgarian far-right leader, Kostadin Kostadinov, who called for the two countries to unite into a single state. Kostadinov, the leader of the far-right party Revival (Prerodba), made the statement on Thursday, drawing on a recent idea suggested by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about a potential unification of the U.S. and Canada.

In his remarks, Kostadinov said, "There is nothing more logical than two states with a shared history, common origins, language, and people, like Bulgaria and Macedonia, becoming one state."

The comments were quickly met with backlash in North Macedonia. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova condemned the statement, calling it "shameful and dishonest." She argued that such claims reflected a lack of respect for the sovereignty and independence of North Macedonia.

"The unilateral expression of such intentions signals disrespect and a refusal to recognise our country's independence," Siljanovska-Davkova added.

North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticised the remarks, describing them as "clear territorial claims" against the country. Kostadinov, who also serves as a member of the Bulgarian National Assembly, has faced criticism for stoking nationalistic sentiments that could disrupt regional stability.