• Friday, 05 July 2024

Marichikj: Constitution should be changed in parallel with EU screening, let VMRO-DPMNE show it supports EU membership

Marichikj: Constitution should be changed in parallel with EU screening, let VMRO-DPMNE show it supports EU membership
Skopje, 26 August 2022 (MIA) — In parallel with the EU screening process, the country can also meet the obligation of changing the Constitution by adding more communities — such as the Croats, Montenegrins and Bulgarians — in the Preamble and in another Article in the Constitution where specific communities are named, according to Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Bojan Marichikj in a Kanal 5 TV appearance on Friday. “From our point of view, there is no substantial obstacle stopping us,” the Europe minister said. “Our concept of the Constitution and our environment has always been inclusive of all communities.” “As a government, we will open a dialogue with all political parties and with all Members of Parliament. We believe MPs will have the opportunity to clearly state whether they are in favor of continuing on the European path; whether they are in favor of North Macedonia's membership in the European Union; or whether they are in favor of a standstill, turning back or deviating from this path,” Marichikj said. He also said he believed VMRO-DPMNE would seize the opportunity to support North Macedonia's EU membership, which has been the country's strategic priority for 30 years. “We believe VMRO-DPMNE will take this chance," he added, "because they missed it for NATO, as a party, although some of their MPs then supported the Prespa Agreement and the constitutional changes.” When asked if North Macedonia’s screening process, which starts in mid-September, was different from Albania's screening process, the Deputy PM for European affairs said both countries had started the same processes and with the same instruments. He also noted that the countries went through the 2018 and 2019 preparatory screenings together as well as the first session of the screening in July. mr/