Skopje, 8 April 2024 (MIA) - SDSM-backed presidential candidate Stevo Pendarovski said late Monday the European Union membership is the only alternative for the country's progress.

Pendarovski called for unity and no divisions in order to achieve the country's strategic objectives, one being membership in the developed world, since everything else is a way back to the Balkan past full of conflicts and hatred.

"The first round of the presidential elections on April 24 will be crucial so that we seal the win two weeks later, because it will demonstrate the power and potential of those citizens who want a democratic and European country," Pendarovski told a rally in the Skopje municipality of Aerodrom.

According to him, the politicians in power have a plan and vision to bring the country into the EU by 2030.

"We have seen two adversaries on our EU accession path - our eastern neighbor that has used a 19-century anachronous, anti-Macedonian and anti-European policy, but also our largest opposition party that decided to block our European path for reasons I do not know. As a result of that synergy between the external and internal adversaries, we are self-blocked, which means isolation in the long run if we do not get your support," said Pendarovski.

SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski said Pendarovski is a candidate of the citizens, parties, associations...

"Stevo is not a president under the party's control or someone's extended arm as Siljanovska. Stevo is a candidate of the citizens," noted Kovachevski.

Earlier in the day, Pendarovski also held a rally in the Skopje municipality of Kisela Voda.

Photo: MIA