Skopje, 28 May 2023 (MIA) - Changing the Preamble of the Macedonian Constitution is a guarantee for the start of the new phase of North Macedonia’s EU negotiation process, assures the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the country, Dirk Jan Kop.

“The second phase will start the moment North Macedonia will change the Preamble in the Constitution to include the Bulgarian minority, along with the seven ethnic groups that are already mentioned in the Constitution. The Council conclusions of July last year state clearly that as soon as North Macedonia adopts the constitutional amendments, the second phase will start immediately and without a further political decision. So yes, changing the Preamble of the Constitution guarantees the start of the new phase. It’s automatic,” Ambassador Kop said in an interview with Radio Free Europe.

Despite Bulgaria's threats of a new veto, Ambassador Kopp assures that this will not happen, but still adds that the bilateral issue should not be used as an excuse for not completing the reforms.

“The situation in the justice system is painful to watch, and instead of progress, we see a worsening of the situation with corruption,” Ambassador Kop said.

Ambassador Kop warned that the use of the EU flag to the laws related to the Bechtel-Enka deal may have consequences for further European integration process, because in this case it is not in line with the EU legislation.

Photo: MIA archive