Skopje, 12 October 2023 (MIA) – Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bojan Marichikj, told Al Jazeera that the claims over new demands from Bulgaria are propaganda from the opposition. He said the constitutional amendments are a decision which isn’t tied to the country’s identity and doesn’t affect it.

“With the constitutional amendments we are distinguishing between the identities of the Macedonians and the Bulgarians, which has never been problematic in any way, for us at least it wasn’t an issue. But now it is also officially being added to the Constitution, and with it, we are removing the sole significant blockade from our neighbors,” said Marichikj.

According to a press release from the Secretariat for European Affairs, the goal of the Government and the Deputy PM is for the constitutional amendments to be concluded by the middle of December, when the EU Summit is set to be held, so that North Macedonia can continue the negotiations alongside Albania, and be a part of the new enlargement package, because, said Marichikj, “we don’t have time to waste now, and we need to do everything so as not to miss this opportunity, as we have missed many in the past.”

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs