Brussels, 28 November 2024 (MIA) — The EU is working on finding a solution for North Macedonia to move forward in the negotiations and does not want the country to be left behind – but any creative solutions need to be aligned with the July 2022 conclusions of the EU Council, sources from Brussels tell MIA.

The sources point out that the constitutional changes need to be adopted and there would be no new delays for the country to move forward with the process.

The conclusions of the EU Council, they say, cannot be changed and any potential solution will have to be aligned with what has been legally adopted.

The same sources point out that the new European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Marta Kos will work hard in the accession process of the Western Balkan countries.

The EU's impression is that the regional countries should use the momentum created by the new geopolitical circumstances.

Asked about the proposed constitutional amendments with delayed effect, the sources say this was not an option because it was not in line with the EU Council conclusions. 

However, they say other ways could be found to send a signal that the country will not be left behind.

The sources reiterate that the EU accession process is merit-based so the country should continue with the reforms, focusing on the rule of law and the judiciary.

The new European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, in a media statement on Wednesday, following the approval of the new European Commission, said she expected North Macedonia to change the Constitution, because, as she pointed out, that was something the European Union was counting on, MIA reported from Strasbourg.

"It is something that we are counting on. Nothing less, nothing more. I believe that this is possible, and after that we can really accelerate the process," Kos said.

Asked whether the EU could guarantee that there would be no other vetoes afterward, Kos said she was not the one who could answer that question. mr/