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The welcoming of EU High Representative Josep Borrell (right) and EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhei (left) by Deputy Prime Minister Bojan Maricic.
Moving forward on the path of European integration means improving relations with the neighbors, and this includes the inclusion of Bulgarians in the constitution of North Macedonia.
This was said by the High Representative of the European Union for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, during the press conference after the Stabilization and Association Council (the leading political forum for dialogue between the EU and the candidates), which took place in Skopje.
This year, the SAA for North Macedonia and Albania takes place in Skopje and Tirana respectively, although it is usually in Brussels or Luxembourg.
The start of negotiations with the two countries depends on whether North Macedonia will change its constitution according to an agreement from last year and will include the Bulgarians on an equal basis with other “parts of nations”. For this purpose, the rulers need a two-thirds majority in the parliament, which also means support from the opposition VMRO-DPMNE.
A tragedy of mistakes: a beating and a celebration put Sofia and Skopje in a familiar rut
The EU’s top diplomat openly warned: “this is the best deal you can get”. “It is not realistic to believe that this can be reopened for negotiations,” Borrell said, referring to calls to abandon negotiations or renegotiate the terms of the so-called French proposal, but after more than two years of crisis between Sofia and Skopje .
“You don’t sacrifice your identity on the altar of EU membership”
Asked if he encourages VMRO-DPMNE to provide support in parliament, he stated: “I am more than optimistic – like my friend Oliver (Varhei, the European Commissioner for enlargement – note ed.) I am an ‘activist’.”
I think we have to make efforts to make things happen, and North Macedonia has committed to changing its constitution. North Macedonia has dedicated itself to changing the constitution to include citizens who live within the country’s borders and who are part of nations – such as Bulgarians.
high representative of the EU in foreign policy
He reminded Skopje that the youngest member of the EU, Croatia, has 22 communities, and the changes in the basic law will also help North Macedonia to advance even more in basic rights. “And I have no doubt that this will preserve the Macedonian identity and at the same time give the country progress in the accession process.”
In North Macedonia, 65% reject the inclusion of Bulgarians in the constitution
“You are not sacrificing your identity on the altar of European membership. Your identity will be absolutely preserved,” he continued. “Because human beings have multiple identities: you will not be less yourself because you become a member of the EU.”
Kovachevski: The opposition is the only obstacle
Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski Kovachevski attacked the opposition, saying that with a clear negotiating framework and the absence of an obstacle for an intergovernmental conference (apart from the inclusion of Bulgarians in the constitution) “for the first time, it may happen that we block ourselves because of an irresponsible, indecisive and non-strategic attitude of opposition parties in the state”.
He explained that all parties and MPs in the parliament have an obligation to work for the “strategic” steps towards membership.
Kovachevski replaced one Albanian party with another and strengthened his majority
Skopje is trying to continue the debate on inclusion in the constitution amid new tensions with Bulgaria over attacks on Bulgarian cultural clubs and the beating of self-identified Bulgarian Hristiyan Pendikov in January.