I hope all parties take advantage of this moment and support constitutional changes, now is the right time. It is about your future and all parties are responsible for the future of North Macedonia.
This was stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the joint press conference with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, BGNES reported.
Earlier, Von der Leyen held meetings with Kovacevski, President Stevo Pendarvoski, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Maricic, Foreign Minister Buyar Osmani and other government officials. However, the head of the EC did not hold a meeting with the chairman of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristiyan Mitskoski, who defines the constitutional changes as a "Bulgarian dictate".
"I am certainly aware of the change in the constitution. The first steps have already been taken in the parliament and that is good news. I hope that all parties will use this opportunity to move forward because now is the right time, all the countries that want to join the enlargement process. That's why it's important to seize this moment," Von der Leyen said. "North Macedonia has already achieved a lot and it is my wish that you continue unconditionally. The verification process is going smoothly and we aim to start negotiations on the Main Themes cluster this year."
The chairman of the EC expressed hope that the parties will support the constitutional changes, because "everyone is responsible for the future of the country".
"The choice is yours and that's why I really hope that all parties take advantage of this moment and support the constitutional changes. It's about your future and all parties are responsible for the future of North Macedonia," she said. "We know that the EU has a long history of accession, it has not always been a Union of 27 members, but it is constantly working on enlargement and has a history of respecting everyone and every nation and the diversity that we represent. That is why I am sure that one day we will welcome North Macedonia."
The second message delivered today by von der Leyen is that economies must consolidate.
"We are already doing it. Looking back, we have a €30 billion investment plan that is being implemented quickly, she said, mentioning clean energy investments such as the solar power plants in Bitola and Oslomei, the wind farm in Bogdanci and the €80 million support to cope with the energy crisis last year.
Kovacevski, for his part, said that von der Leyen always comes with concrete steps and plans for the approach to the EU, and today the two also discussed the concrete plan for growth, which will bring concrete benefits to the RSM and its citizens even before full membership.
"This plan will give a new strong impetus to the country's European integration. With its implementation, which also depends on the EU, but above all on us, the Western Balkans will double the size of the region's economy, and our economies will grow by about 10%." , said Prime Minister Kovachevski.
Some of the benefits due to the plan are: the possibility of opening the EU market for Macedonian products, increasing the scope of duty-free products, smooth movement of services in the field of e-commerce and increasing the quality of education. From the country's independence until today, EU support for North Macedonia amounts to more than 3.3 billion euros.
Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski emphasized that the European future of the state should not be held hostage to political calculations
He expressed hope that the parties that are against changing the Constitution will show that they are in favor of a European future for the country, because "now there is a window for joining the EU".
"I hope that those who have always been against the European and Atlantic integration of the country in history will finally, for the first time in their political existence, show in the parliament that they are for the European future of the country," Kovacevski said.
An open window for European integration
According to the prime minister, there is already an open window for joining the EU.
"Now all countries are unanimous that there should be enlargement. This means the unification of Europe," said Dimitar Kovachevski. According to him, the North Macedonia already has 50% compliance with European legislation.
Kovachevski pointed out that everyone should take responsibility for the current and future generations.
"Such things cannot be calculated and you should not play with the emotions of the citizens, because this will mean a repetition of the bad scenario that we have been watching for 11 years - regression of ethnic relations in the country, regression of relations with neighbors. "We did not move. and a millimeter in European integration and NATO. The bad experience of history should not be repeated. We will work for the realization of the dream of a European Macedonia by 2030, commented the Prime Minister.
The head of the EC decided not to hold a meeting with the chairman of VMRO-DPMNE Hristiyan Mitskoski or other representatives of the party and noted that the constitutional changes cannot be bypassed.
When asked why he would not meet the VMRO-DPMNE leader, given his statement that he had expectations from her visit, Von der Leyen reiterated: "Constitutional amendments are a necessary step on the way to joining the EU."
"Wherever I am, I usually meet with the head of state and the government, depending on the constitutional order. This is the case with my trip to the Western Balkans, but it is also the case with all my other visits and trips, when I visit member states there is a rule to meet the head of state or the prime minister of the state," Von der Leyen added.
BGNES recalls that Mitkoski has more than once defined the requirement for constitutional changes and the inclusion of Bulgarians as a Bulgarian dictate. In fact, this is an unavoidable condition of the pan-European proposal for a fifth continuation to the EU, known as the "French proposal".
Mitskoski recently stated: "As for the constitutional changes under these conditions, which we called the Bulgarian diktat, VMRO-DPMNE and the parliamentary group are not doing it because they are stubborn and because we intend to obstruct the government. There is no argument that I have heard, regardless whether it is from the domestic political scene or from the international community, to dissuade us". Mickoski assessed as "madness" the thesis that the rejection of the constitutional changes will block North Macedonia's European path
Yesterday, the President of the EC was welcomed in Skopje by the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski, BGNES reminds. Later today, von der Leyen will travel to Pristina to hold talks with President Vyosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Subsequently, the President of the EC will also hold meetings in Belgrade with President Aleksandar Vucic and other officials. /BGNES
