Skopje, 25 October 2022 (MIA) — Speaking to lawmakers on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said the Macedonian language and identity were fully protected on the country’s EU path, stressing that Macedonian was recognized as equal to all other languages ​​in Europe. “The first agreement, FRONTEX, the EU Council has already decided to sign in the Macedonian language, without any asterisks or footnotes,” PM Kovachevski said. “The first documents in Brussels are already being translated into Macedonian. “Starting our negotiations with the European Union after 17 years of waiting; fully safeguarding the Macedonian language and Macedonian identity; building a society for all; and nurturing peace through inter-ethnic unity at home all confirm that the government has been representing the people successfully and with dignity,” he added. Kovachevski also said the priority of the government was an economically strong and stable state, which would become a full member of the EU with its Macedonian language and identity protected. According to him, the government advocates the concept of respected Macedonian citizens in Europe, who sit with their heads held high at the big table in Brussels, and whose voice, speaking the Macedonian language, is heard and acknowledged while making European decisions together. “The other concept, which Brussels openly pointed out for the first time in this year's country progress report, is the concept of blockades, which the entire public has witnessed, and especially you here in Parliament,” Kovachevski said. “It is a concept of isolated citizens, sitting at a small table, at home, whose voice no one hears and who cannot change anything from that position – a concept of virtual and non-existent, alleged pride. We all felt its darkness during the 11 long years of the regime,” he said. mr/