Skopje, 12 September 2023 (MIA) - German Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael Roth urged Tuesday MPs to vote for the constitutional changes as soon as possible so that the country resumes its EU path.

"We now have a proposal on the table that must be implemented, not because of improving the state of minorities here but in order to make a breakthrough for North Macedonia on the European Union path. We must speed up the pace. People in the country are impatient, this is not only in your interest, it is in ours as well. We cannot afford to have instability in another region. We have to stick together and Europeanize the Western Balkans," Roth told a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani.

According to him, it is important to talk about how blockades can be overcome so that discussion finally focuses on democracy, fight against corruption, rule of law, people's well-being, reconciliation etc.

"That is why I appeal to you, my fellow colleagues from the Parliament, to contribute to the required constitutional change as soon as possible through a two-thirds majority. Afterward, you can continue to have discussions and quarrels," said Roth.

I hope, he added, that our signals for solidarity and togetherness will be understood by all.

"No one in Brussels, Sofia, Berlin or Paris has the right to decide on your identity, culture and tradition. This is up to the people here to decide. North Macedonia is an example of multiethnicity, your minister speaks in Macedonian first and then in Albanian," said Roth.

FM Osmani said one should not forget that the constitutional amendments would lead to the opening of the third and fourth accession chapters.

Photo: MIA