Skopje, 23 January 2023 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Monday regarding the constitutional amendments that the Government plans to start a process of consultation which will specifically focus on the content of the amendments that should be subject to a vote in the Parliament. The goal, he noted, is to open a public discussion in which everyone will be able to express their opinion on the amendments to be proposed and adopted.  

According to Kovachevski, the country will continue its European path, which will also include other difficult decisions that the Parliament will need to make through political consensus. No political party and no politician should condition the European future and the decisions that will need to be made on petty party interests that can only be of personal benefit, said the Prime Minister.  

“The government plans to start a process of consultation regarding the content of the amendments that should be subject to a vote in the Parliament. The process will start through a public discussion with the academic community, the business community, non-governmental organizations and other institutions, and this should happen as soon as possible. We have time, because the screening will last until November, but we want to open a public discussion in which everyone can have their say regarding the amendments to be proposed and adopted,” Kovachevski said after Monday’s visit to the Metro company.  

It is certain that North Macedonia will continue its European path, Kovachevski stressed, adding that this was the first of many decisions ahead on the path to full-fledged EU membership.  

“There will be many difficult decisions that the Parliament will need to make through political consensus. The alignment of the legislation, the implementation of the laws, the institutions, the reforms of the public administration, the reforms of many other areas in society will also mean many decisions that will have to be made,” said the PM.  

He reiterated the importance of political consensus. EU membership is necessary for us, he added, and that is why many decisions are being made and many more will be made until this goal is completely achieved.  

“The adviser to the government and our chief negotiator who took that road with Croatia, points to political consensus as the first thing to focus on in terms of these issues, as they are no longer the subject of daily political debate, but the country’s European future depends on them. Take a look at the countries that joined the EU, which were members of the Warsaw Pact or were part of Yugoslavia in the past. Take a look at their economic development before joining the EU and take a look at them today,” said the Prime Minister mentioning among other reduced unemployment and foreign investments, and noting that many generations have been lost due to false patriotism.