North Macedonia votes to end dispute with Bulgaria, clears way for EU talks

North Macedonian members of Parliament from the ruling SDSM party, hold European Union and North Macedonian flags, during a parliamentary debate on a French-brokered deal aimed at settling disputes with Bulgaria and clearing the way to EU membership, in Skopje, North Macedonia, July 16, 2022. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski

Lawmakers in North Macedonia on Saturday passed a French-brokered deal aimed at settling a dispute with Bulgaria and clearing the way to long-due European Union membership talks.

With 68 votes, the 120-seat parliament voted in favour of the agreement. Opposition lawmakers did not participate in the vote and left the room.