Hungarian right-wing PM Viktor Orban, during his visit to North Macedonia, announced a plan aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute between Skopje and Sofia, aiming to unblock North Macedonia’s EU accession by the end of the year.

Orban did not disclose specific details about the plan, but he announced his willingness to act as a mediator to facilitate discussions between the two countries.

The initiative was announced during a news conference with North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski in Ohrid on September 27, where the governments of the two countries held a joint meeting.

Orban arrived in the tiny Balkan country on September 26 for a two-day visit focused on enhancing economic and cultural relations, as the country navigates various hurdles on its path to EU membership..

Leading Hungary's right-wing populist Fidesz party, Orban is viewed as one of Europe's most pro-Russian leaders and has established strong connections with North Macedonia’s ruling right-wing party, VMRO-DPMNE.

Speaking in Ohrid, Orban emphasised the significance of addressing the dispute with Bulgaria. "One of the reasons why I am here in Ohrid is to seek a solution to the dispute with Bulgaria."

Bulgaria's demands have posed a significant hurdle to North Macedonia's EU accession, as Sofia blocked its progress in 2020 due to historical and cultural disputes, particularly concerning language and identity issues. The blockade was lifted in 2022 following an EU-brokered compromise, which required North Macedonia to amend its constitution to recognise Bulgarians as a minority.

Despite this unblocking, tensions between the two countries persist. North Macedonia faces challenges in implementing the constitutional changes, largely due to opposition from the rightwing VMRO-DPMNE party, which perceives these amendments as a bowing to Bulgaria's diktat.

Following VMRO-DPMNE's victory in May general elections, the stalemate continues to obstruct North Macedonia's EU aspirations, further delaying membership negotiations.

Despite Orban’s optimistic outlook, Bulgarian officials have categorically refused his offer to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Skopje and Sofia. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov stated that Bulgaria does not require mediators, as the EU framework agreement with North Macedonia is already clear, and requires amendments to the constitution.

Orban also expressed his concern over the EU's handling of the situation with Skopje, stating that the recent separation of Albania’s accession process from that of North Macedonia was "a huge mistake” by the EU

He accused EU officials of undermining North Macedonia's "national pride" by prolonging the country's bid to join the bloc.

"Given Hungary's role as the EU chair, it is only natural that this topic is at the forefront of our discussions today [September 27]. Hungary's stance is clear: the stability of the Western Balkans and the region's integration into the EU are of paramount importance," Orban said.

Orban criticised the bloc for accelerating accession processes for Ukraine and Moldova while neglecting countries like North Macedonia that have been working toward EU membership for many years. North Macedonia, formerly known as Macedonia, has been an EU candidate since 2005. 

Beyond politics, Orban highlighted the significance of North Macedonia as a vital trade route for Hungary, with goods passing through the country on their way from Greek ports. "Economic cooperation between the two countries is very important," Orban noted.

During his visit, Orban also expressed gratitude for North Macedonia's support in Hungary’s fight against illegal migration and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral political and economic ties. In a post on the X network, Orban said: "We will never forget North Macedonia's support in our fight against illegal migration."

PM Mickoski stated that Hungary is a strategic ally of North Macedonia. He also highlighted the importance of strategic projects like the north-south transport and energy corridors, which links the Balkans with Hungary.

These corridors are vital for the energy security and economic growth of the entire region, and he stressed that cooperation with Hungary will be crucial for the successful implementation of these initiatives.