Brussels, 7 April 2025 (MIA) - I personally take full responsibility and bear the entire burden, even at the cost of my political career, in order to implement the constitutional amendments and open the EU negotiation chapters. If the Government believes it can make use of this, I remain at its disposal, said SDSM leader Venko Filipche in Brussels, where he participated Monday in the Socialists and Democrats Group (S&D) conference titled “Relaunch of the S&D Willy Brandt Programme for EU Enlargement.”

“The longer time goes by and the more our neighbouring countries move forward, the harder it will be for us to keep pace in the future. The Social Democratic Union will support any plan the Government presents, provided it is in line with their promise, which now seems unlikely to be kept, to improve our position in the EU accession talks,” Filipche said.

He said the Social Democratic Union will always support efforts that drive the country’s progress and improve citizens’ quality of life.

“We can discuss certain ad hoc solutions, but all of them are short-term. True progress, real advancement, and the results that citizens expect to see are rooted in strengthening the judiciary, raising living standards, and waging a serious fight against corruption in our country. This also includes reinforcing key sectors such as social welfare, education, and healthcare, these are, after all, the demands of the citizens. And all of this can be achieved only through the process of European integration,” the SDSM leader noted.

Filipche emphasized that, given the challenges facing the Western Balkans, the Socialists and Democrats Group, comprising the sister parties of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, organized today’s event in Brussels to provide special support from socialist and democratic parties across Europe to their counterparts in the region, with the aim of accelerating and strengthening the EU’ integration path.

“Unfortunately, the feeling we experience when attending meetings like this is one of deep frustration. We listen as neighbouring countries share their progress and explain how far they’ve come. We see what Albania is doing, a country that, until just a few months ago, was moving in parallel with us on the European path, and now they have a concrete plan to conclude negotiations by Christmas 2027 and become an EU member state by 2030. You can see how focused, intensive work pushes a country forward,” Filipche said.

According to him, we currently have nothing to show for ourselves and remain stuck, while the current Government “neither has a vision nor the willingness to make any progress toward European integration.”

"It is obvious what needs to be done. International agreements must be respected. But no one believes the Government’s nice words anymore. It’s clear to everyone that Macedonia cannot move forward with this Government. There’s simply no will, no vision, and no plan," Filipche added.

Photo: MIA