Skopje, 2 July 2022 (MIA) – Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj says the French proposal represents a chance for North Macedonia to start the negotiating process in Macedonian language, recognized by the entire European Union. Deputy PM Marichikj wrote in a Facebook post that all policies and steps undertaken by the Government until now have been strategic and in the interest of the state and its citizens. “The French proposal represents a chance for North Macedonia to start the negotiating process in Macedonian language, recognized by the entire European Union,” says Marichikj. The Intergovernmental Conference and the screening are the first steps of the negotiating process, which lasts about 12 months on average. Afterwards, he says, comes the opening of the first chapter. By then, the three ethnic communities should be incorporated in the country’s Constitution, alongside the existing seven. “We have an opportunity for clear progress in European integration with a clear Macedonian language and identity recognized by the entire European Union. Progress after the screening will depend on the inclusion of Bulgarians, Croats and Montenegrins in the Constitution, a move that only strengthens our equal multi-cultural society. Our European progress will no longer depend on historical issues that Bulgaria has raised and we have to discuss, but no one can put conditions on the Macedonian side. We remain consistent to our interests and the Macedonian national objectives. It is up to us and us alone,” says Marichikj.