Skopje, 16 July 2022 (MIA) – The government at a session Saturday reviewed and passed the conclusions adopted earlier in Parliament before deciding to approve the proposal of the French EU presidency, put forward on June 30, 2022. “This marks the start of the process for accession negotiations of North Macedonia with the European Union,” Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told a news conference after the session. The PM confirmed that the first intergovernmental conference (IGC) will take place on July 19 in Brussels. "Finally I have the honor to announce the date of the first Intergovernmental Conference, due to take place as early as this week, on July 19, in Brussels. Afterwards, Europe will be in Skopje, and the Republic of North Macedonia in Brussels, with full capacity, with access to funds, access to knowledge and to the right principles. All of this will take place based on an identity seen continuously in all European centers," Kovachevski stated calling for unity, confidence and optimism. Today’s government session, he said, concludes yet another historic step for our country. "Today, we're opening fresh perspectives for the country, fresh opportunities for prosperity of the citizens. From now on, we move forward fast to join the European family where our Macedonian language can be heard officially very soon," stated the PM thanking Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and their teams for their "exceptional dedication to advance the national positions in the process." He reiterated that the Macedonian language is guaranteed and identity issues will not be up for negotiations. "Due to the demonstrated commitment, today we have a negotiating framework in which the Macedonian language and identity are protected, the history issues are not included in the document all the while we are on the eve of holding the first intergovernmental conference that marks the start of North Macedonia's accession negotiations with the EU," noted PM Kovachevski. On behalf of the government, he vowed, I'd like to assure you that no one can and no one won't in any circumstance negotiate the Macedonian identity issues during the long process. "This is something that is non-negotiable." https://youtu.be/1DKHX5pHwqs