Skopje, 25 April 2025 (MIA) - We have dialogue and communication with Sofia and we will not let it stop, because if initiative and dialogue coming from our side stops, then we will be accomplices in the process of hindering the European integration, which goes against the country's goal. Our commitment to European integration should not be measured by the volume of a government's concessions over national issues, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski on Friday.

"We have a clear position that I believe coincides with the stance of each and every Macedonian citizen, namely that we should put an end to the process' bilateralization and injustice. What if the constitutional changes are made tomorrow and we are again faced with a similar situation in six months from now. We will again go into dialogue and the process of negotiations will again be stuck. Our commitment to the European integration should not be measured by the volume of concessions of any government over national issues. If some want this, then they do not understand what European integration is about," said FM Mucunski.

According to him, there are destabilizing forces in several countries in the region that could have an impact on the destabilization of the entire continent.

"That is why I am constantly repeating that the NATO member-states from the region have the primary responsibility for the long-term security of the Western Balkans, but this cannot be done without the certainty of European integration. This is a shared responsibility. We have to do our part but the EU must reduce the gap between created expectations and delivery, which is clear to see in the region in recent years," said Mucunski.

Asked about a possible meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Mucunski said he was recently in Sofia to extend gratitude to the Bulgarian government and citizens for their solidarity following the Kochani tragedy.

"We have been working for a while but there is, unfortunately, no positive feedback from Bulgaria for a meeting including myself, Transport Minister (Aleksandar) NIkoloski and Finance Minister (Gordana) Dimitrieska Kochoska with our counterparts, in order to discuss the future of Corridor VIII, a strategically significant project that we would like to see move forward. Despite the lack of feedback, we will continue to work towards this meeting," said Mucunski.

The FM said he is aware of the messages coming from EU ambassadors in the country, especially regarding the Reform Agenda.

"Mr. Drobnjak (Croatia's former chief negotiator with the EU) said that implementation of the Reform Agenda is largely what the negotiating process is about. The Government does not believe that the Reform Agenda can replace the negotiations, far from it. Nevertheless, the Reform Agenda can be transformational for the entire country and demonstrate our commitment to European integration. Enlargement Commissioner (Marta) Kos said we are the leading country when it comes to the tasks arising from the Reform Agenda. This shows that the Government is committed to the European integration because these reforms are transformational for our society," said Mucunski.

We seek a compromise, he added, that is rational and ensures that predictability we have been referring to for a while, "predictability that the country deserves after all the concessions it has made."

"I am communicating with Commissioner Kos and her team, but let me retain some of the shared information. I want to assure our citizens that it is high time we stopped negotiating on national and identity issues with any country," noted Mucunski.

The FM said he is in daily communication with EU foreign ministers, working on several initiatives aimed at unblocking the country's Euro-integration process.

"This means to finally start the accession negotiations that have unfortunately not started due to subjective and not objective reasons. Of course, our positions are rooted on our expectations, which is to put an end to the bilateralization of the European integration. This is detrimental for the entire region, since it leaves room for countries in the area to face the same challenges in the future. The EU enlargement process will not be finalized unless all regional countries join. I say we are protecting ourselves but we are also protecting the enlargement policy, because our goal is for the country to become a full-fledged EU member together with other regional states," underlined FM Mucunski.

Photo: Timcho Mucunski Facebook