Skopje, 4 July 2022 (MIA) — North Macedonia has shown strong commitment to difficult reforms and the European Union wants to open negotiations as soon as possible. The country is now facing a really important decision, Ireland’s Minister of European Affairs Thomas Byrne told a news conference in Skopje, adding that he was personally very excited about the possibility of North Macedonia becoming a member of the EU. Speaking at a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Finland’s Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen, Ireland’s Europe Minister said the EU proposal for lifting Bulgaria's veto protected the Macedonian language and identity and their status would be only stronger through joining the EU. Byrne said the people in his country had not been allowed to speak the Irish language for many years, but the EU membership granted the Irish language a special status. Also, the Irish national identity was strengthened by EU membership and member states’ flags represented countries that were equal in the Union, he said. “We know that historical and bilateral issues are not part of the negotiation framework, but from our Irish perspective, our bilateral issues are better resolved as part of the EU,” Byrne said, pointing out that Ireland had to make a difficult compromise as part of the country’s agreement before joining the bloc. Commenting on social and economic progress, the Irish Minister for European Affairs noted that when Ireland joined the EU about a million people had jobs, and now, according to recent statistics, that figure was 2.5 million jobs. Byrne said the difference was significant and he had no doubt that North Macedonia would also prosper and succeed both economically and socially. In response to a reporter’s question about the negotiation framework, Finnish Minister for European Affairs Tuppurainen said Macedonian culture, language and identity would be fully respected. She said the negotiation framework should not be influenced by any bilateral issues or any issues related to history and identity. She said the EU enlargement and the negotiation process had its own methodology and instruments. She also said negotiations should begin as soon as possible. The Council, she said, had unanimously decided to start the talks as soon as the negotiation framework was adopted. This would happen quickly, she pointed out, because Macedonians deserved this and deserved the EU to deliver it on its promise. The Minister of European Affairs of Ireland said the French proposal safeguarded the Macedonian language and identity and all bilateral issues would be left out of the negotiation framework. “What we want to say is this is your time,” Byrne said. “There is no better proposal available.” He added that accepting it would be a cause for celebration because it would lead to the progress of the entire country and its citizens. “There will be compromises, but even with those compromises, the proposal contains great victories for the country and the Macedonian people. Of course, the ultimate goal is full membership,” Byrne said. mr/