Skopje, 18 February 2023 (MIA) — It is time to talk about the constitutional changes with VMRO-DPMNE and why it is such a problem to insert the Bulgarians into the Constitution and how it can jeopardize us, Macedonians. I believe we will reach the reasonable conclusion that it is tragic to block our own country on the way to the European Union because of this issue, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj told Macedonian Radio in an interview.

Deputy PM Marichikj said adding the Bulgarian ethnic community into the Constitution would make a clear distinction between the Macedonian people, who are the majority in North Macedonia, and Bulgarians as a minority community in the country, according to convention.

“And of course citizens have the right to express their feelings freely,” Marichikj said, adding that seven other communities were listed in the Constitution already. 

“We should add this option for Bulgarians so we are protected against anyone saying we are Bulgarians. We are Macedonians, and there are also Bulgarians – 3,100 of them, according to the last census,” he added.

“We will add other communities, too, such as Croats and Montenegrins, at least. There is interest also from Jews, Egyptians, and Torbeshes, and we are open for talks,” Marichikj said.

Speaking about the cabinet reshuffle, he said the goal was to strengthen the ruling majority and the position of the government amid ongoing reforms and ahead of the completion of numerous infrastructure projects.

“Let's stabilize the country economically from all the crises in the previous three years — health, economic, and energy — and take the necessary steps to continue our European integration path.

“It is crucial that all parties in favor of North Macedonia joining the EU stand together and support the reforms as well as the necessary constitutional changes that will automatically take us to the next phase,” he said. 

“We do not want to give excuses to anyone, least of all Bulgaria, for further blockades. This time we hold the blockade card. For the first time, it is not up to Sofia, Athens, Paris, or Brussels. For the first time, it is in our hands, in Skopje.

“Each of us politicians, all political parties, all MPs should say to the citizens and themselves if they are willing to keep the country stuck in a dead end for another ten years,” Marichikj said. mr/