Skopje, 10 June 2023 (MIA) - I am certain that Bulgaria will lose the blocking credibility after the adoption of the constitutional amendments. This does not mean that Bulgaria or some other country cannot raise certain issues during the negotiations but the key thing is they are based on the European standards, not being an arbitrary or unilateral demand, or a bilateral issue, and we will insist on this, says Deputy PM for European Affairs and Chief Negotiator with the EU, Bojan Marichikj, in an interview with MIA.

"Our best guarantee is what the negotiating framework reads, namely that the second intergovernmental conference and the opening of the first cluster will take place right after the adoption of the constitutional amendments, thus giving negotiations a certain course," says Marichikj.

He adds that an additional guarantee over the Macedonian language and identity is expected in the coming period.

"We expect a big member-state, the largest EU member, to make a political gesture in the coming days or weeks, adopting in its parliament a declaration to reaffirm our language and identity in the context of the European integration process," says Marichikj.

He assesses that North Macedonia will join the EU by 2030 at the latest, adding that the current opportunity must not be missed.

"North Macedonia should be in the group of states in line for the next enlargement round. This is our goal and we believe this is attainable in the next 5-6 years," says Marichikj.

The Deputy PM says the constitutional amendments could enter parliamentary procedure in the course of June, depending on the dynamics agreed in dialogue with the opposition.

"The sooner the better, depending on the dynamics agreed with the opposition. Nevertheless, the Government and SDSM will be proactive. We will not let time go by without undertaking steps, and that is why it is important to enter this dialogue and produce results shortly, because otherwise it will seem that political stakeholders are only buying time," Marichikj tells MIA.