Varhelyi: Opposition should prove it supports North Macedonia’s EU membership
Brussels, 19 July 2022 (MIA) – I am very hopeful, that from here on, all political parties in the country, including the opposition, will work for the European future and won’t start controversies or work up emotions that are not going to take the country forward and will not result in anything meaningful, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, in Brussels on Tuesday.
“The opposition always argues that they are committed to make EU membership happen for the country – so, let’s prove it,” said Varhelyi, answering a question on possible blockades of the Constitutional changes in Parliament.
He said that during the debate of the Information on the contents of the draft-negotiating framework “some European values were bypassed” in Parliament, but expressed hope that a new page will be turned for the country after Tuesday’s Intergovernmental Conference.
Varhelyi underlined that there is a clear commitment not only by the Government, but also by Parliament regarding the constitutional changes, stating that the implementation of the French proposal includes parts of the competencies of Parliament, and it too should engage in the solution.
Answering the same question, PM Kovachevski said that after joining NATO, the country is now on its way to achieve its second strategic goal – EU membership, a decision supported by the majority of MPs in Parliament.
“We heard all kinds of things in Parliament, we heard inappropriate statements from certain political parties from the opposition. However, still, the majority of the citizens represented by their MPs in Parliament made the decision which led to the holding of the first IGC today,” said Kovachevski, adding that due to that decision on Tuesday afternoon, the team of Ministers led by Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, will begin the screening process.
Kovachevski stated that the opposition MPs have the responsibility to participate in further debates, because the negotiations process includes many steps yet to come after today’s first step, and Parliament has its own responsibilities in the implementation of these steps.
“Every politician has the responsibility to think of the future of the country and the future of the upcoming generations. Politicians mustn’t think of their own personal ratings and political careers. We were led by the future of the country, by a decision which will allow for a future and prosperity for all citizens of the country. I believe that all MPs will be responsible and serve the citizens,” said Kovachevski.
He said that the country made many historic decisions in the time of Kiro Gligorov, Nikola Kljusev, Boris Trajkovski, Branko Crvenkovski and Zoran Zaev, and because of these decisions the country moved forward.
“Because of these decisions today we are a NATO member. During a time of a war in Europe, we are secure as members of the largest defense alliance in the world,” added Kovachevski.
According to him, Tuesday’s IGC invalidated all manipulations and speculations concerning the identity and language.
“It’s the responsibility of all politicians in the country to support this path. Because this is the only path for North Macedonia, leading towards a more successful and prosperous future, because there is no other alternative,” concluded Kovachevski. ad/sk/
