Skopje, 10 August 2023 (MIA) – I hope very much that MPs, leaders and members of all political parties, again, recognize this pivotal moment for this country and make decisions that are for the good of the citizens and not in the interests of their particular political or personal aspirations. This country can and will benefit enormously from membership in the European Union and membership in the broader Trans-Atlantic community, said the United States Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Aggeler, in an interview for Kanal 5 TV on Thursday, asked to comment on the opposition’s refusal to vote for the constitutional amendments.

“It is the stated goal of this country, and almost 80 percent of the citizens of this country want to be a part of the European Union. The path forward is very, very clear and, again, it is my hope that the leaders and elected officials, who were elected in order to do the right thing for the benefit of their citizens, make those tough choices now, and move their country forward to greater prosperity, greater stability and greater opportunity,” said Aggeler.

“I hope once again,” the Ambassador stressed, “that the citizens of this country ask of their elected officials, and ask of their leaders of their various parties to do the right thing, to move this country forward towards the European Union, because that is the stated goal of the citizens of this country, it has been since independence, and I hope that the leaders of the citizens have the courage to move forward with those changes.”

Regarding the acceptance of the so-called French Proposal, the Ambassador said that the politicians she has spoken with, who were a part of the negotiations, feel very strongly that this was the best deal possible for the country.

“It has to be the leaders of the two countries that are able to have these discussions to move forward. It is in the best interest of this country, however, to resolve the differences that they have, to meet the agreements that they made last summer. To be quite honest, I wasn’t here last summer, I was not part of the group of people who reviewed the French Proposal and who decided to move forward with it. But I have spoken with, not only the American side, but those leaders here who were a part of it and they feel very strongly that the position that was offered was the best deal possible for this country to move forward with accession. So, now the question is how to move towards the European Union because therein lie all sorts of economic growth opportunities for this country, that I believe it needs and it wants. And so, it is my hope that we stop looking to the past and some of those historical contexts, stop worrying about previous grievances and compromises and instead look to the future,” said Aggeler.

The Ambassador added that she believes that historians will look back at this moment in time as a very critical moment for the country, and will look at the leaders of the different parties and how they behaved, and either applaud their choices or condemn them.

Regarding the perspective of the country’s relations with Bulgaria, Ambassador Aggeler said it is important to know that both the new Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria have indicated that they want to see the country in the EU.

“And I take them at their word. But the important thing in my view is what this country and its leadership does now, and not so much what happens in Sofia. My hope is that, again, we look to the future and not to the past, and not to these grievances, and focus on what needs to be done. As we say in the United States, regardless of your political or historical context, the ball is in your court, it is the decision for the citizens and leaders of this country to decide to move forward towards the European Union. And, very importantly, the only way to move away from pressures from any EU capital and its governments is to join the EU and that is my hope for this country,” stressed Aggeler.

“I understand it has been difficult,” said the U.S. Ambassador, “but these negotiations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria are bilateral in nature, and they must be.”

Regarding the statements of certain politicians that the Negotiating Framework can be renegotiated, Aggeler reminded that the European Union has been crystal clear in saying what is required of the country to move forward in European accession and become a full, participating, valued member of the Euro-Atlantic community.

“That is to meet the requirements of the agreement they made last summer, and then to move forward with the various processes of accession. What is fake news, is the suggestion that anyone can renegotiate last summer’s agreement. That is fake news. What is also fake news is that there is a better deal out there that we haven’t discovered. Ambassador Geer from the European Union here in Skopje, and Brussels, have been very, very clear that this is the requirement to move forward. So again, rather than getting caught up in historical context and various grievances then I think what is required of the officials that citizens of this country have elected is for them to act in their best interest and move forward towards the European Union, that is where economic growth opportunities, educational, social, trade, all of these other opportunities exists and I very much hope that they make those tough choices,” said Aggeler.

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