Skopje, 27 September 2025 (MIA) – The resolution is one of the most patriotic documents that has been offered on this political scene in the past several decades, because it opens space and a door to finally reach a national consensus on our red lines and what we will not be negotiating with the European Union if such a question is raised, i.e. what people fear in the future - language, identity, culture and history, SDSM leader Venko Filipche said after Saturday's regional conference "One Region. One Vision. One Future.", which was attended by leaders of sister social democratic parties from the Western Balkans, as well as representatives of think tanks and civil society organizations.

As regards Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski's statement that the draft resolution is unacceptable and contains a historical falsification, Filipche said in response to a reporter's question that he sincerely regrets such a statement by Mickoski, because, in his opinion, everything stated in the resolution is correct and precise. The goal, he added, is to use the current momentum for enlargement of the European Union by 2030, and prevent the country from further lagging behind other candidate countries.

"I must say that I sincerely regret that the Prime Minister made such a statement. First, everything stated in that resolution is correct and very precise. It lists historical facts, resolutions previously adopted in the Parliament, stating precisely what was previously protected under those resolutions... I sincerely believe that all political parties, including VMRO-DPMNE, will go beyond themselves in the coming period during the campaign, and they will at least find the strength and sit down at the table to discuss this document, because time is seriously pressing us, the region is moving forward, and we are not seeing any progress here," said Filipche.

He noted that for the first time, there is a draft document that should be jointly finalized, unified and submitted, which contains the chronology of all previous resolutions adopted in the legislative house. Asked why he believes that a joint letter is a better solution in the event of a possible veto from neighbouring Bulgaria, rather than abandoning the negotiations, he said that the European Union should know what threatens the country's red lines.

"Real talks like all serious countries, and reaching a national consensus, instead of just empty words, announcements and doing nothing... Our proposals are clear as to when the process of constitutional amendments should begin, and when it should end and, accordingly, when the chapters should be opened within the negotiations. The European Union should know what we consider to be something that threatens some of our red lines during the negotiations, and what doesn't. And in that context is a letter to all relevant structures within the Union," said Filipche.

On the programs that SDSM offers for the upcoming local elections, the SDSM leader said they are substantial and elaborated in detail based on the experiences of other countries. They are not random, said Filipche, nor false or packed with promises.

"We have people who are recognized in their circles, with the credibility and legitimacy to come out and seek support from the citizens, people who have the capacity to implement those programs. Honest people, who will honestly work with the citizens' budgets, regarding which I personally take responsibility before all citizens, and we will have a positive and fair campaign, and I expect such an approach from all political entities," said Filipche.

Asked whether he would take responsibility by leaving the top position of SDSM if what the polls predict were to happen, i.e. another defeat in the upcoming local elections, Filipche said that it was an attempt by VMRO-DPMNE to create a perception that they were the winners in the elections, but according to him, citizens are not at all satisfied with the way the ruling party is managing the municipalities.

"I believe the polls are an attempt to distort the true picture in everyday life and reality, which is that VMRO-DPMNE, according to our analyses, is losing a huge number of votes. They want to create some kind of perception that they are the winners, but the truth is that citizens are not at all satisfied with the way they are managing the municipalities. As many as 90 percent of the municipalities in Skopje, including the City of Skopje, have been managed by VMRO-DPMNE for the past four years, and look at the kind of city and municipalities we live in," said Filipche.

Photo: SDSM