Mickoski: We're ready to adopt constitutional changes, but they shouldn’t just open the process
- We are ready to adopt the constitutional changes, but the message is clear: adopting the constitutional changes should not just open the process. We must know that this process will end, and when. With this, we aim to secure the process from beginning to end of the negotiations, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in an interview with Faktor.
Skopje, 13 December 2024 (MIA) - We are ready to adopt the constitutional changes, but the message is clear: adopting the constitutional changes should not just open the process. We must know that this process will end, and when. With this, we aim to secure the process from beginning to end of the negotiations, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in an interview with Faktor.
“We stress this because if there is another blockade, citizens' hope will largely disappear, and it will be difficult to convince them that we will one day join the European Union. We strongly believe that these three phases, executed with consistency and determination, will eventually lead to progress,” Mickoski said.
He stated that the recent meetings with high-level international officials have highlighted the importance of dialogue, but stressed that diplomacy, in this case, is not about giving in to pressure, but about proactively engaging our international partners to ensure that the country's perspective is clearly understood.
“We have emphasized our readiness to work constructively, as long as the process respects our sovereignty and national identity. While Bulgaria retains the veto mechanism, our efforts are focused on demonstrating that European integration is a strategic necessity for the region’s stability and prosperity. We are using the support of allies who acknowledge that bilateral issues should not undermine the broader goals of the EU,” Mickoski stated.
He added that addressing domestic issues acknowledges the importance of strengthening national unity and internal stability.
“The development of the rule of law roadmap and administration reform roadmap is currently underway, and these are the foundations for opening the Fundamentals cluster. I expect these two roadmaps to be finalized in the coming months, at which point our country will be formally and legally prepared to open this cluster. Support from EU member states and institutions is essential, and we remain committed to advocating for a fair and merit-based approach to accession,” Mickoski said in the interview.
Photo: Faktor