Skopje, 6 October 2021 (MIA) — The messages the European Union is sending are worrisome, given that "even in 2030 we cannot expect the Western Balkans and our Macedonia to be in the EU," said VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski at a party rally in Petrovec this evening, claiming that SDSM was to blame for the country’s stalled European integration process. Mickoski said the ruling party gave false promises to the nation three years ago about delivering a date for EU talks. “Because of them, the EU has become a distant goal,” he said. “They told us to go out and vote for a European Macedonia – and we would get free health care. There were billboards telling us they would provide free European scholarships, 250,000 euros in aid every day, 18 million euros for judicial reform and what not.” “Not only is there none of that but if they could they would make the people pay for the air they breathe,” Mickoski added. He also commented on the Sept. 8 modular hospital fire in Tetovo. “DUI and SDSM agreed there should be no responsibility taken and now they are blaming an electricity cable or a phone charger for the 14 dead people,” Mickoski said. He said Health Minister Venko Filipche and Deputy Minister Ilir Hasani had to be held accountable for the tragedy because "there were no fire extinguishers in the hospital, where unprotected oxygen bottles were stored, so the hospital burned down in less than two minutes." Earlier today, the opposition leader said his party would object to the possibility of Bulgaria’s asking North Macedonia to include a Bulgarian minority in its Constitution unless it allowed a Macedonian minority to be included in the Bulgarian Constitution. mr/