Skopje, 27 February 2026 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova stressed the need for guarantees from the European Union at a press conference Friday, adding that she wouldn’t have been opposed to the constitutional amendments if they were really related to the Copenhagen criteria or about overcoming discrimination and guaranteeing minority rights.

Quizzed by journalists about the statement made by the European Parliament’s Rapporteur for North Macedonia, Thomas Waitz, that the country should seize the moment and adopt the constitutional amendments in order to launch negotiations with the EU, the President said she has often heard about “moments that need to be seized” and stressed the need for guarantees.

“I have often heard about such moments that need to be seized. And yes, the moment does really exist now because it is connected to the membership of Ukraine and Moldova. Of course, in the system of division of powers, I wouldn’t dare to give advice about whether and when the constitutional amendments should be adopted. The Constitution is clear – the Members of Parliament represent the citizens, and they vote based on their own beliefs. Besides that, I will also repeat what I have said on many occasions – we are record-holders in amending our Constitution. Now we are being asked to amend it again. Our position highlights the necessity for guarantees that there won’t be a new, very favorable moment, alongside another demand for constitutional amendments. I would not have anything against constitutional amendments if they were truly related to provisions based on the Copenhagen criteria, or, in this case, about overcoming discrimination or guaranteeing minority rights,” Siljanovska-Davkova said.

The President said the Constitution of North Macedonia is among the constitutions that provide firm guarantees for minority rights, which, she said, is not the case with many other constitutions, including most of the constitutions of the EU member states.

Asked about potential EU membership without voting rights, Siljanovska-Davkova said she can’t comment on ideas she has heard from high EU officials and representatives of think tank organizations.

“The current situation is based on the acts of the EU. The member states have the same status, they have the right to veto, and important decisions in the Union are made through consensus. I will comment on such a proposal once it is on the table,” the President said.

Photo: MIA