Kovachevski: Constitutional amendments a decision for country's European future, politicians should make strategic decisions in interest of citizens
- It is the responsibility of all politicians to cooperate and jointly make decisions in the interest of the citizens who want to live in North Macedonia as part of the EU, and not in other European countries, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Vienna, in response to a reporter's question on the opposition's disapproval of the constitutional amendments. He said he sees himself as a rational optimist, stressing that he believes in achieving the goal.
- Post By Nevenka Nikolik
- 21:14, 20 April, 2023
"This is an important issue and this is one of the decisions that we will have to take until finally joining the EU. It is the first 2/3 vote until the next ones to come, because this decision will continue the path to EU integration and I see it as a decision for the country's European future. And this is exactly why I always say that it is the responsibility of all political factors to cooperate and jointly make the necessary decisions, such decisions that are of strategic importance for the country must not be the subject of daily political debates," said Kovachevski.
He pointed to examples of countries that recently joined the EU, noting that decisions have been made strategically and were not part of daily debates. Kovachevski also mentioned the Frontex agreement, signed in Macedonian language.
"I have always been rational and optimistic, which means I believe in achieving the goal and work towards achieving the goal. Last year I received a similar question, whether we will be able to reach an agreement with Bulgaria and I gave the same answer, I believe in achieving the goal, and I am working towards it, and today I give the same answer. Last year we made it and started negotiations with the EU with a protected Macedonian language and with a protected Macedonian identity, as identity and culture of the EU, and the biggest proof came with the signing and implementation of the Frontex agreement with the EU and all EU member states in Macedonian language. It is a document where Macedonian language appears for the first time with all the other official languages of the EU," Kovachevski said.
The PM said a working group on the constitutional amendments has already been set up, which includes experts in constitutional law, representatives of the academic community and practitioners, as well as lawyers and representatives of political parties.
"Unfortunately, the opposition didn't join the working group, just as it didn't join the working groups on negotiations with the EU during the bilateral screening. I think this is not rational, and not a wise decision, because to be part of this process means that a political party learns the process and may one day continue to be part of the process," said Kovachevski.
He pointed out that the Macedonian Parliament, the MPs have the wisdom, vision and capacity to make strategically important decisions for the future of the current and future generations of citizens.
"Our citizens deserve and want to live in a country that is a member of the EU, their country - North Macedonia, instead of living in other EU countries as they do now, coming to work in Austria, in Germany, or France. Our citizens deserve, and it is the duty and responsibility of politicians to ensure that the citizens get an EU member state, North Macedonia in the EU," the PM told Thursday's joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.