Skopje, 19 May 2023 (MIA) - VMRO-DPMNE will have to decide whether to join the European bloc or remain hostage to Levica. They will have to decide very soon whether they will get on the last train and join the pro-European bloc that inevitably makes decisions about North Macedonia's accession to the EU, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said after Friday's meeting with coalition partners. 

"In that context, the U.S. Special Representative Escobar also sent a clear message. The opposition is not to support me. It should support the European future of our citizens, and our citizens want to live in the EU but here - at home in North Macedonia, an EU member state," said Kovachevski.

He pointed out that he and the coalition partners agreed today that the common goal is for the country to move forward and move together with the democratic and progressive world. Our goal, Kovachevski noted, is full-fledged EU membership by 2030, and our strategic partners support us in this goal.

"Today, when it is more important than ever that Europe remains united, complete, free and at peace, with our strategic partners, we agreed that would not be possible without the integration of North Macedonia and the countries of the Western Balkans in the European family. That is why the North Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration and its democratic development, security and stability are particularly important for our strategic partners the United States," Kovachevski said. 

He urged for openness and political responsibility, and called on all parties and social actors to join in towards achieving the country's strategic goals.

"The opposition also refuses to join the working group on drafting the constitutional amendments, just as they refused and were against all important processes in the country. However, I urge for openness and political responsibility, and call on all parties and social actors to join in towards achieving the country's strategic goals. Let's make the decisions together and secure the European future together," Kovachevski said.

According to him, the continuation of the European path is a historic opportunity which might not happen again and should be taken advantage of immediately.

"We spent 11 years looking for alternative ways to develop the country and join the Euro-Atlantic integrations. Those 11 years of VMRO-DPMNE rule showed that the country only ended in deadlock and isolation. Now that the country has already made a series of difficult decisions, thanks to this Government, when it is a NATO member, when it chairs the OSCE, a country recognized by the entire international community as a factor of stability in the Balkans, going from a country beneficiary of peace missions to a country where peace negotiations are taking place, we must use the opportunity," Kovachevski pointed out.  

Full-fledged EU membership by 2030, according to Kovachevski, is an ambitious but achievable goal. "This government coalition is stable and strongly united and will achieve that goal," said Kovachevski.   

Photo: MIA