Skopje, 28 April 2026 (MIA) - The issue of constitutional amendments can be put on the table the moment we build trust through clear guarantees, at least a minimal mutual reciprocity in the area of ​​respect for human rights, that is our expectation and that is what we are working on, Macedonian Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said Tuesday. 

In an interview with Sitel TV, Mucunski said that cardinal mistakes made by the previous government cannot be resolved overnight.

As regards the issue with Bulgaria, Mucunski added, ideas are in place, publicly articulated positions are clear and are part of the election program which received the support of the citizens.

"I agree that the vast majority of our citizens want full-fledged EU membership, there is no dilemma about that, but also, according to the polls, the vast majority of our citizens are against changing the Constitution under these conditions," said Mucunski. 

He added that two years ago, EU representatives maintained that these were the conditions and they won't change, but then less than a year ago, the European Council President said in Sofia that the country should be given additional guarantees, and the Belgian Foreign Minister stated in Skopje a few days ago that the country should be given additional assurances.

"I am not saying that we will change positions overnight, but when we make such a major decision we should be able to believe in the decision we make. Currently we do not hold such belief as a government. I do not believe that if we make the constitutional amendments now we will not be facing an additional blockade," he said, pointing out that today information has come out about a non-paper, which he said was reactive, but noted that he sees concerning trends coming from Sofia, which are not related to the government now, but are the result of a long-term strategy.

"We have never promised that we will resolve this issue overnight. We cannot resolve overnight such cardinal, epic mistakes made by our predecessors, but we are working and believe in these positions. What we see is that citizens also trust the way we set the state's foreign policy positions," Mucunski said.

He said as soon as the new government in Bulgaria is formed, he is looking to establish contact and meet with his Bulgarian counterpart.

"It is imperative for us to establish communication and work on a solution. I expect to pay a several-day visit to Bulgaria next week for a ministerial conference on Corridor VIII. We offered Bulgaria to be co-organizers, but they sent an invite without a response to that. In my opinion, that is not the way of communication on which we should build relations, primarily because Corridor VIII is a point where we have shown progress. We should be positive, but clear-eyed," said Mucunski. 

He pointed out that he was pleased with the fact that a large number of Union members are showing interest in closing the bilateral dispute with Bulgaria and starting negotiations with the EU.

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