Skopje, 3 July 2022 (MIA) – We have a proposal that incorporates our remarks and clearly expressed positions, there is no dilemma about this. The European proposal has defined positions over a clear and unequivocal acceptance of the Macedonian language. This was the most important issue for us and that is why I want to be crystal clear: the Macedonian language is absolutely clear and on equal terms with other EU languages, without any footnotes, asterisks or explanations, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski after Sunday’s meeting with VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski within the broad consultation process related to the French proposal aimed to unblock the start of North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations. PM Kovachevski said the proposal left bilateral and historical issues out of the negotiating framework. “Open issues should be closed but we will have time for this until the solutions are dignified for both sides. The European Union highlights this should be settled bilaterally, and that is why it is not part of the negotiating framework. Good neighborly relations as such represent the foundation of the EU and we agreed to accept this as a fact by signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement in 2001. In this spirit, through that principle and established practice, it is our obligation as a future EU member to work on good neighborly relations and we will do this by implementing the Friendship Treaty in the same way as we are doing with the Prespa Agreement,” said Kovachevski. He added that the protocol between North Macedonia and Bulgaria is not part of the negotiating framework, it is a bilateral document that is not incorporated in the European package. “This final European proposal ensures an unconditional start of North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations and implementation of the March 2020 Council decision. We will start EU talks right after we make our decision to accept the proposal. We are all aware of the sensitivity of the issue. It is easy to reject, delay and opt for new uncertainty. But we need rational thinking in this historic moment, cool heads, wisdom, responsible and objective analysis of all scenarios while considering the future of our children. We should not create daily politics out of this issue. This is a historically important and strategic issue to which every politician and citizen should approach seriously,” said Kovachevski. The PM urged everyone to stick to the facts, the official documents and their proper interpretation. He also called on all political stakeholders to consider the enormity of the task and act constructively, responsibly and statesmanlike. “We promised that we would fight to maintain the red lines that we have been repeating for months, on which the Parliament adopted a resolution, and we are doing this and will continue to do it in every step of the way during this process,” said Kovachevski. This, he added, is a historic moment for the country, one of the few such as the country’s independence, the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the Prespa Agreement. “We have a unique opportunity to fulfill our long-awaited strategic objective – full-fledged EU membership. This is our vision and our future. We have once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure the prosperity of the country because we owe this to future generations. It is time for wise decisions,” underlined PM Kovachevski.