Skopje, 23 August 2023 (MIA) – The opposition is just buying time and is sending messages justifying themselves for blocking the membership process and has no intention, neither now nor after elections, to vote for the constitutional amendments, said Deputy Prime Minister Bojan Marichikj at a press conference Wednesday.

“I think this is buying time and sending messages to their supporters, so they can justify this unjustifiable position of blockading their own country. We tried in many ways, without any pressure, but by convincing them that this is something that the country needs. Because things are moving quickly for the other countries,” said Marichikj.

One of the goals of the Athens meeting, he added, was to voice support for Ukraine and Moldova’s membership aspirations. 

“Everyone is making steps forward, and they will continue to make steps forward, while we, instead of coming up with conspiracy theories that we are threatened from outside and inside the country, should take responsibility and accomplish our tasks because that is in our interest,” said the Deputy PM.

Marichikj assessed that each new internal blockade will reflect negatively on the country.

Asked if it is possible for a new political entity to bring the necessary 10 votes for the amendments, Marichikj said that new political entities are possible in a democratic society, and that this wouldn’t be anything strange or new.

“What is important for us is the platform that the political entities will orient themselves to: those who are in favor and those who are against North Macedonia’s EU membership,” said Marichikj.

The Deputy PM said that what he, and the majority of the public fears is that VMRO-DPMNE, as a political party, has no intention to vote for the amendments neither now, nor after elections, which is why, he said, “it is necessary for two political options to become clear in the country” – those who are in favor of EU membership and those who oppose it.

Marichikj said the Government is open for dialogue with the opposition, but only if it is over proposals that will lead to a two-third majority.

The Deputy PM added that the opposition should not give rise to delusions over waiting for better opportunities.

“The delusions of certain political parties or presenting certain delusions over waiting for some better opportunities cost us dearly in the past and this will be the case again,” said Deputy PM Marichikj.

Photo: MIA