Skopje, 19 May 2023 (MIA) - United States Ambassador Angela Aggeler says in an interview with MIA there is a timeline with regard to North Macedonia's path towards the European Union, with the next Intergovernmental Conference coming up in November, provided the constitutional amendments are adopted.

"I also know that there are many who would like to simply move forward with the scheduled elections for next year. How that plays out I’m not sure. Again I do know that there are those outside of this country and within this country who would like to harm that process of moving forward, and there is a timeline with the European Union and the next review of the IGC, a review that is important and coming up in November, so that’s part of the conversation as well. I’m not convinced that, there are those who say that they are not supportive of the constitutional amendments unless there are early elections and then they’ll support them, I think you’re either in support of doing what’s necessary to move towards the EU or it’s against. And again I’m very hopeful that those in whichever party that care about the future of this country will make the decisions to move forward and take the actions that are necessary to move towards the European Union. Now whether or not that means early elections, whether they happen next spring, I can’t predict, and we’ll just see what happens and believe me, we’re watching very closely," says Ambassador Aggeler.

She says the people of North Macedonia have made very tough choices and taken tough decisions to change the name of the country.

"That was something that if you’d asked me before I’d left in 2013 if this country would be willing to do that, I would not have believed it. And so, people understand that there are difficult decisions that have to be taken. But you’re absolutely right, simply having a goal does not mean you achieve it. It requires action, and it requires in this case yet another constitutional amendment. I know people are tired of that, but at the same time they also want to be in the European Union, because they recognize the enormous benefits of opening those doors to the European Union and to Euro-Atlantic integration," says Aggeler.

She expressed hope that leaders of all political parties put aside their differences and act simply in the best interest of the country and its future.

Photo: MIA