Kavadarci, 30 August 2025 (MIA) — What Macedonian citizens need is a clear vision of arguing based on valid claims and gaining friends; what lies ahead is a future of development, reforms and construction, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Saturday in response to Friday night's statement by SDSM leader Venko Filipche that Parliament should adopt a joint resolution on the country's European integration outlining its red lines and that if Bulgaria’s veto is repeated the country should halt its negotiations with the European Union.

"Yes. I heard the SDSM statement," the prime minister said in response to reporters.

"I think SDSM and DUI underestimate the nation and the citizens and want to play the short memory card. I will remind them they themselves already had such a declaration pass in Parliament saying not to accept Sofia's ultimatums. Unfortunately, they accepted every one. 

"Let me take you back even further to the time when Parliament passed a declaration that the country would not change the name, which SDSM MPs also voted for. Well, you know what happened when SDSM came to power," Mickoski said.

He said the then SDSM government did not honor the results of the name referendum, adding that the VMRO-DPMNE government was led by serious people with a clear vision and strategy. 

"This is not a game of tricks. We have seen the things these tricksters did to both the state and the citizens. This is what we have come to," he said.

The PM said the only legacy of the previous government was "treachery and crime" as well as SDSM and DUI members who had become "ultra-millionaires."

"Citizens can see this by the real estate and personal property they have in the country and abroad," Mickoski said. mr/