Brussels, 16 March 2023 (MIA) — The constitutional changes are in your hands and it is your sovereign decision but we want to see North Macedonia in the European Union and we will help the country move forward, EU representatives told MIA’s reporter in Brussels.

Commenting on the likelihood of constitutional changes being adopted given that there is no two-thirds majority and the opposition's against them, the EU sources said “the impossible always becomes possible” when considering an issue this important in terms of stability and progress. 

According to them, North Macedonia’s intergovernmental conference with the EU in July 2022 was a significant breakthrough for the country.

Acknowledging that the French proposal was met with various interpretations in the public, the sources said it was nonetheless a major achievement for the country on its EU path.

The EU representatives highlighted that the Western Balkans remained a priority for the EU, especially in the new geopolitical context after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which they said had dramatically changed the dynamics of the EU’s enlargement.

They did not rule out the possibility of European Council President Charles Michel visiting the country ahead of the vote on constitutional changes. They recalled his strong support to the country during his visit to North Macedonia last year for talks with political stakeholders.

“The message is clear. North Macedonia is a successful multi-ethnic country,” the EU sources said, reiterating that the EU would continue providing help.

However, they stressed, the constitutional changes were a sovereign decision of the country and its democratically elected Parliament. 

The EU representatives also stressed that they did not see an alternative and that a compromise had to be reached for the sake of the long-term goal of joining the bloc.

They also mentioned that complex issues were being discussed with Sofia behind closed doors in Brussels. EU leaders, they said, were working on that front, as well. mr/