Mind our language: Bulgaria blocks North Macedonia's EU path

Sofia raises opposition to neighbour's accession hopes citing failure to respect history

A row over the historical roots of North Macedonia's language has led to Bulgaria blocking talks over the newly renamed country's accession to the EU.

During discussions by EU ministers on Tuesday, Bulgaria raised its opposition citing a failure of its neighbour to respect a shared history. It wants official EU documents to avoid mention of the Macedonian language", which it insists derives from Bulgarian.