Skopje, 31 May 2023 (MIA) - The message of French President Emmanuel Macron is very clear, and he once again provided strong and unequivocal support by saying now is the moment for North Macedonia to make the necessary decisions that will ensure its European integration and European future, says Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski.

PM Kovachevski told Kanal 5 that the meeting with President Macron, held on the sidelines of the GlobSec Bratislava Forum, referred to the process of constitutional amendments, with the initiative to be sent to the Government next week, which will later forward it to the Parliament.

"President Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen both said now is the time to take the required decisions that ensure North Macedonia's unhindered EU integration, since the geopolitical momentum must be seized, utilizing the consent of Union members over the enlargement with North Macedonia, Albania and other countries of the Western Balkans," says Kovachevski.

On the statement of United States Senator Chris Murphy that relations with the U.S. could be affected if the constitutional amendments did not materialize, the PM said the Senator's message was very clear and it did not differ from the messages by German Chancellor Scholz, State Secretary Blinken, ambassadors to the country, that now is the time for North Macedonia to decide over the continuation of negotiations and accession to the EU.

"Let's demonstrate together that we are partners of the US, EU and NATO. This Government is advocating this, as are our citizens. The citizens have always been on the right side of history, promoting democratic values and EU integration. The message was clear - those who oppose this policy will not be supported by politicians and diplomats from our strategic partners," says Kovachevski.

The choice for the country, he adds, is EU integration or isolation, as witnessed in the period between 2006 and 2016.

"If the constitutional amendments fail, something that VMRO-DPMNE is advocating at the moment, we will face isolation. We saw this between 2006 and 2016, when the country did not move an inch in the Euro-Atlantic integration process, a period when the country was isolated and qualified as a captured state, when the rule of law was entirely shattered," says Kovachevski.

The SDSM leader says the invitation for a meeting with VMRO-DPMNE's Hristijan Mickoski has already been extended.

"This meeting will take place in the coming days and we will discuss two key topics: decisions that have to be taken to continue the country's European integration, and the approach as a state in building goodneighborly relations with all neighboring countries," underlines Kovachevski.

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