Skopje, 2 December 2024 (MIA) - Our insistence is not on a specific solution, but on debilateralization of the further EU accession process. Any solution that will ensure the country's EU accession process will be acceptable to us, said Minister of European Affairs and Chief EU Negotiator, Orhan Murtezani. 

"We know that the negotiating framework cannot be changed. It has been reiterated several times at all high-level meetings in Brussels and beyond. Our insistence is not on a specific solution, but on debilateralization of the further EU accession process. Any solution that will ensure the country's EU accession process will be acceptable to us. What such solutions mean exactly, what are the technicalities, formulations, etc., remains to be resolved through a negotiation process. However, our position is to protect ourselves from further blockades," Murtezani said in response to a reporter's question on what the Government's tactics or plan are following the messages from Brussels that constitutional amendments with delayed effect is an unlikely scenario, just as changing the negotiating framework for the country.

Asked whether this means that a form of guarantee is being sought that would be obtained from Bulgaria that no further bilateral issues will be opened within the European integration process, he pointed out that the focus is on ensuring the finalization of the process. 

"Whether the guarantees will come from neighbouring Bulgaria, from a certain institution, or whether we will do it bilaterally, or what the form will be, is not as important as the essence. We, as a country and as a Government, must be sure that this process will be completed," Minister Murtezani noted. 

On whether any meetings are planned in the future with the Bulgarian leadership, following Brussels' message that the country should not wait but begin intensive talks with Bulgaria's caretaker government, given that Sofia has a unified position on the issue of constitutional amendments as a condition for unblocking the European integration, Murtezani gave a positive reply. 

"Of course. I personally, as a Minister, have expressed my willingness to visit Sofia several times. Yet, I think it is better to wait a little longer until all possibilities have been exhausted. Although the forming of a new government does not seem easy, I do not think that all possibilities have been exhausted, because we have been told on several occasions, and we know that the caretaker government on the other side will not even engage in a good-neighbourly dialogue, let alone resolve more complex issues," said Murtezani. 

He believes that possible implementation of some of the 14 Strasbourg judgments that Bulgaria needs to implement would mean a step forward towards reaching a solution.

"These are rulings from an internationally recognized institution, and we believe that, of course, it would be an insufficient, but small step that would lead to a mutual agreement," Murtezani said ahead of Monday's panel discussion titled “Strengthening Cooperation in the EU Integration Process through the Reform Agenda”, organized by the European Policy Institute (EPI) - Skopje in cooperation with the Ministry of European Affairs. 

Photo: MIA