Skopje, 7 November 2023 (MIA) - A warrant is issued against former prime minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski and he should return to the country, in order to face justice according to Macedonian laws and according to the decisions of the independent judicial authorities, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said on Tuesday. 

In response to a reporter's question on whether he's facing pressure in terms of the abolition revoked by former president Gjorge Ivanov, so as to create conditions for return of former prime minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski, and whether he has discussed this issue with former prime minister and SDSM leader Zoran Zaev and the party's Secretary General Mile Zechevikj, Kovachevski said he has neither held meeting with Zaev nor with Zechevikj. 

He said that to him, Gruevski's return is not a current topic. 

"Regarding the current topic, which to me is not even current, i.e. the return of the former prime minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader, I think it is an out-of-place topic from the aspect that, first of all, a warrant is issued against him and he should return. However, he should return in order to face justice, according to Macedonian laws, and according to the decisions of the independent judicial authorities," said Kovachevski.   

As regards communication with judicial authorities, the PM said he has no communication as he believes that judicial authorities should work independently.

Asked if former prime minister and SDSM leader Zoran Zaev is to run for president, Kovachevski said a defined procedure is in place in the party regarding presidential candidates, adding that the process has not yet been launched, but all candidates stand an equal chance.