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US analyst: Skopje should turn to Washington involving constitutional changes and EU accession

US analyst: Skopje should turn to Washington involving constitutional changes and EU accession
Washington, 11 November 2022 (MIA) - Foreign policy analyst and Balkan expert Edward Joseph has said that the Western Balkan region should seek stronger cooperation with Washington in order to secure more support from the incumbent administration as the outcome from the US midterm elections doesn't suggest that there would be drastic changes in the course of the foreign policy in congressional committees, tasked with defining the US foreign policy. Speaking to Voice of America in Macedonian, he criticized Serbia due to its ambivalent relationship towards the EU and its closeness with Russia. Joseph, who is a lecturer at the US Johns Hopkins University, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has to be told that he cannot blackmail the United States over the challenges due to Kosovo because it affects the whole Balkans region, MIA's Washington correspondent report. Joseph also said that North Macedonia should turn towards Washington when asked how North Macedonia can unite regarding the constitutional changes, required as a condition in order to resume its negotiations for EU membership. North Macedonia, he said, should turn to the Biden administration for support asking the United States to reaffirm the Macedonian identity, something the US can do as part of its strategic partnership with North Macedonia. Speaking to Voice of America in Macedonian, the Balkan expert noted that Skopje authorities also face political challenges within he country. Joseph also urged the government to take actions to seriously fight corruption to repel opposition forces working against accession into the EU. He called Vucic the primary obstacle of the region towards progress by supporting Russia. Joseph concluded that the United States have to stop being manipulated by the Serbian President and stop supporting him because he is not on the right side of history.