Skopje, 30 October 2024 (MIA) – President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expects the 17th EC Progress Report on the country to be positive, noting changes, though it is unlikely to be significantly different from last year’s report. According to her, it’s high time for the country to begin negotiations in line with the Copenhagen criteria.

“I do not believe that we’ll get a report that’s much different from last year’s. No. I think things have not changed overnight. That’s why, even regarding minority rights, I have always emphasized the need to read the 15th, the 16th reports and not the 17th, which I hope will be positive. Certainly, changes will be noted. After all, it’s no coincidence that there has been a change in government, but I do not expect anything surprising or out of the ordinary,” Siljanovska-Davkova said in response to a journalist’s question about her expectations from the new EC Progress Report on the country, which is expected to be presented today.

According to her, if we have had 16 positive reports but still have not begun accession negotiations, then the credibility of the report's author is also brought into question, and this is something the EU Council should consider.

"However, I must stress that if we have had 16 positive reports, then the credibility of the report’s author also comes into question. If you have 16 ‘yes’ from Parliament, 16 ‘yes’ from the Commission, and 16 ‘no’ from the Council - especially given cases where countries received a ‘no’ from Parliament and the Commission but a ‘yes’ from the Council - then I think the Council needs to consider this as well. It’s high time we begin negotiations in line with the Copenhagen criteria," said Siljanovska-Davkova at an event today, held ahead of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), which take place from November 11 to 22, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

On Wednesday, the College of Commissioners adopted the 2024 Enlargement Package, which is expected to be formally presented this afternoon at a press conference in Brussels by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Olivér Várhelyi.

EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas on Wednesday will hand over copies of the 2024 Country Report for North Macedonia to President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, to President of the Parliament Afrim Gashi and to Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, the Delegation of the EU in Skopje said in a press release.

Photo: MIA archive, screenshot