EPP, SD, and RE Propose Removing ‘Macedonian Identity and Language’ from Weitz Report

Brussels – The European Parliament will discuss an updated report by MEP Thomas Waitz on North Macedonia at the upcoming plenary session in Strasbourg next week. A total of 28 amendments have been submitted, including proposals to remove references to “Macedonian identity and language” from the report.

According to MIA’s correspondent in Brussels, Amendment 20, co-sponsored by MEPs Andrzej Halicki (European People’s Party), Kathleen Van Brempt (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats), and Dan Barna (Renew Europe), suggests eliminating point L, which states that the EU consistently recognizes the Macedonian language and identity.

Article 3 of the report, which emphasizes the need for continued momentum in the EU integration process and calls for quick progress in accession negotiations, also faces scrutiny. The three MEPs seek to remove the phrase “fully respecting the Macedonian language and identity” through Amendment 21.

Additionally, they propose Amendment 22 to delete the introductory section of Article 7, which highlights the importance of recognizing the Macedonian language and identity as vital to national heritage and European values, noting that European institutions consistently refer to it in official documents.

Report author Thomas Waitz has put forward Amendment 18, which includes a new point L-a stating that issues of language, identity, and culture are sensitive, especially given complex historical narratives and the contexts of new independent states.

Waitz, representing the Greens group, also proposes Amendment 19 to add a new Article 7-a, recognizing diverse interpretations of the origins of the Macedonian language and identity, reinforcing that the report does not intend to limit scientific discourse on the matter nor affect the Parliament’s evaluation of North Macedonia’s EU accession progress, which adheres to the Copenhagen criteria and principles of good neighborly relations as outlined in the July 2022 Council conclusions.

Bulgarian MEP Ivaylo Valchev from the European Conservatives and Reformists group has submitted three amendments (11, 12, and 13) suggesting that the term “modern” be added before “Macedonian language and identity” in point L and Articles 3 and 7. (July 3, 2025)