The Defence Intelligence Service Monday published its annual report for 2022, saying it had established attempts by the Republic of North Macedonia to influence Bulgarian minorities in neighbouring countries to identify themselves as “Macedonian”.

The Republic of North Macedonia did not implement significant constitutional revisions and applied partly and selectively the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria, the Defence Intelligence Service said. Skopje’s unconstructive policy towards Sofia was increasingly supported by some external factors. The attempts of the Republic of North Macedonia to use certain international organizations to harm Bulgaria’s image continued.

This tendency will continue and will require vigilance from the Bulgarian authorities. In addition, in 2022 again there was no progress on the construction of the stretch of Pan-European Corridor VIII, which is of key importance to NATO, on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia, the report said.