Skopje, 11 December 2021 (MIA) – Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj said in an interview with Slovenian newspaper ‘Delo’ that it’s important that European Union enlargement is based on previously-determined principles, real accomplishments and delivered results, but underlined the need for the Union to provide a time frame for the accession of Western Balkan countries. “We have really done everything we could and demonstrated honest desire to resolve disputes, guided by European values. I believe that the dispute with Bulgaria can be resolved through direct dialogue. However, it’s important that this dialogue is based on European values and principles and not on power and EU membership,” Marichikj noted. He added that the dispute is not just a bilateral issues, but it also affects the European Union, which must define what a member state can demand from a candidate country. “We’re ready to talk and are already discussing open issues, but we’re also ready to address these issues over the course of EU negotiations. However, we will not give up the Macedonian language and identity,” Marichikj said, underlining that the Macedonian government believes in EU values and policies and expects the Union, its institutions and member states to contribute to North Macedonia’s European integration efforts.