Brussels, 16 April 2025 (MIA) - No one can provide guarantees to North Macedonia there will be no more objections on the European path if it adopts the constitutional amendments, says European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in an interview with the European Newsroom (ENR), when asked by MIA if EU and member-states can provide assurances to the country there would be no more obstacles due to bilateral issues related to identity, language or history once the Constitution is changed.

"We understand this is not an easy issue. We also understand it is human and understandable that your country wants to see guarantees after all it has been through. The guarantees cannot be there but what I expect from all member-states is when there are bilateral issues that the talks are being held in good faith and with the vision to get to compromise," says Commissioner Kos.

Kos says this does not mean that the European Commission is not working to help the country start the accession negotiations, while noting her personal involvement in the bilateral issue and Wednesday's trip to Sofia for meetings with Bulgarian politicians there, followed by communication with politicians from North Macedonia.

"It would be best if bilateral issues do not interfere in the accession process. It doesn't mean that bilateral issues are not important. You know, I can understand that Hungary is fighting for its minority (in Ukraine). I can understand that Bulgaria is doing the same, but it is bad is when this is really interfering in the accession process", says the Commissioner.

She expresses hope that a solution to unblock the country's accession process will be found soon, and once this happens, the negotiations can start without any conditions.

"That is why we are also saying, please do the reforms and be ready to open the first cluster," says Kos and adds that she fully understands the frustration of the people in the country.

Kos notes that although there is fresh dynamics in the enlargement process, it is still merit-based, while highlighting the EU's positive vision of speeding up the process.

"We will not leave any country behind. We are strongly committed to bring them into the European Union but of course, we will stick to the merits. We are really involved in the bilateral issues, which are quite many (in the Western Balkans)," underlines Enlargement Commissioner Kos.

Photo: ENR