Skopje, 26 September 2024 (MIA) - SDSM leader Venko Filipche says the Government and VMRO-DPMNE have no right to block the country's future, noting that the requirements for EU accession are clear, precise and do not endanger the national interests and identity.

"Every government must take difficult decisions for the sake of the country's future, even at the expense of its rating. Everything else that VMRO-DPMNE and the PM are saying is an excuse. The statehood, identity, culture and language are not at risk, all of this is guaranteed with the Prespa Agreement and the Bulgaria Friendship Treaty. They are part of the Negotiating Framework and all these aspects, along with the EU that serves as a guarantee that other irrational demands from Bulgaria would not come, is something that VMRO-DPMNE should realise and not block the country, because they have no right to do this," Filipche told Kanal 5.

According to him, PM Hristijan Mickoski and Deputy PM Aleksandar Nikoloski have worsened relations with Bulgaria through their recent statements.

"It is now obvious there was a hidden agenda, since they were saying one thing during the election campaign and now they are saying something else," said Filipche.

On the draft-law on veterans that SDSM has submitted in the Parliament, the opposition leader says it a law that has no ethnic dimension.

"It covers veterans who are ethnic Macedonians, ethnic Albanians, ethnic Turks etc. Some were covered by the previous law but the current one is comprehensive and covers all Army and police members, and family members, since the country's independence," says Filipche.

Photo: SDSM