Brussels, 14 February 2024 (MIA) – The Government, i.e., the ruling majority and the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, are continuing down the European path and are committed to fulfilling the prerequisites that will open our path so that we can finally conclude our journey to full-fledged membership into the European Union, Talat Xhaferi told MIA in Brussels on Wednesday asked about his message to the representatives of the EU institutions.

“In that context, my first visit is to the European Union, to demonstrate and practically convey the commitment to the fulfillment of all prerequisites so that we can continue on our European path,” Xhaferi told MIA after a meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Earlier on Wednesday, Xhaferi, accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister Bojan Marichikj and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, met with MEPs Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Tonino Picula, Tineke Strik and Karlo Ressler. Later on Wednesday, he will meet with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Regarding today’s official scheduling of the presidential and parliamentary elections, Xhaferi said he expects the Government, citizens and political parties to make efforts to ensure that the elections are peaceful and within the democratic values.

“Of course, by doing so we would also make the work of the State Election Commission easier, which, according to the Law, is the sole authority in the process of the organization of elections. According to the Electoral Code, we are all obliged to contribute with our behavior, above all regarding the tasks that we have, both as institutions and citizens, and participate in that process and ensure peaceful, fair, acceptable elections that will lead to new institutions with full legitimacy and legality,” said Xhaferi.

From that aspect, according to Xhaferi, it is necessary to coordinate all future activities in preparation for the organization of elections in order to appropriately respond to any possible attempts of foreign meddling and influence in the electoral process.

“Based on experience from previous electoral processes in other countries, the chance of such influence isn’t excluded, considering there are indications that fake news and the media space are abused to that end. We are all obliged to undertake the appropriate measures for a timely response to this challenge,” said Xhaferi.

The caretaker Prime Minister stressed that as a full-fledged NATO member, North Macedonia has the ability to use the infrastructure of the institutions of the Alliance in order to deal with and respond to that challenge.

Photo/Video: MIA