• Wednesday, 03 July 2024

Marichikj: Language is red line in EU negotiations

Marichikj: Language is red line in EU negotiations

Skopje, 5 May 2023 (MIA) - Koneski said the language is our only homeland, and in the present context, this legacy is much more important and a bigger burden for us all, especially for institutions. We perceived this as a political agenda because the Macedonian language has always been the red line in all negotiations with the EU and talks with Bulgaria. We have never made concessions in this regard and we do not intend or have the right to do this, said Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj at the panel discussion dedicated to the affirmation of the Macedonian language and its Cyrillic letter on May 5-Macedonian Language Day.

"We succeeded in incorporating the Macedonian language in the negotiating framework as the language in which the entire EU Acquis is to be translated and the language in which we sign agreements with the EU, such as the one with Frontex. This is a proof that it is worth fighting for the language and this is the way to keep it as our homeland," stressed Marichikj.

He added that 80-90 percent of the ongoing screening in Brussels is carried out in Macedonian language with the help of interpreters.

Marichikj said attention should also be paid to the lack of Macedonian language teachers in the diaspora, noting there are ways to preserve the language in today's digitized world.

"When I type on my phone, I exclusively use the Cyrillic letter and I think everybody should do this," underlined the Deputy PM.

Photo: MIA