Berlin, 28 June 2023 (MIA) – A new chapter has begun on North Macedonia’s European path, the end goal is full-fledged EU membership and now this depends only on us, this is a historic chance and we mustn’t miss it, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski at a joint press conference Wednesday with his host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“With the beginning of negotiations and the screening process, as well as the signing of the Frontex agreement, last year we received a complete affirmation of our commitments to a European future, and we received a confirmation that the Macedonian language is protected and on equal footing with the other languages of the EU,” said Kovachevski.

This Government, said the PM, has made a lot of difficult decisions, and has demonstrated leadership and courage, while the beginning of negotiations is a basis and an opportunity for a better future.

The Prime Minister thanked the Chancellor for his support and commitment, but also for the support provided through the Resolution adopted by the Bundestag. “With the adopted Resolution,” he added,"Berlin gives us additional incentive for further intensification of the reform agenda in all areas of our society."

“Now the next step remains, the constitutional amendments, which will be submitted to Parliament and to our 120 MPs. I expect them to demonstrate statesmanlike behavior, be up to the task and adopt a decision that will enable a better future, for us and for the future generations,” underlined Kovachevski.

The EU is the country's only goal, said the PM, stressing that there is no, nor will there ever be, a better agreement than the one North Macedonia has received. 

"This is why we will have to walk down the EU path, even though it won’t be easy. We have to fulfill the strategic goal that we set 30 years ago – full-fledged EU membership. We have to enable our citizens, future generations to live in the EU, proud that they are Macedonians, with a Macedonian language and identity, and most importantly, richer and with a better standard of living than today," stressed the PM.

Kovachevski stressed that this development will inevitably happen and pointed to the countries who underwent serious growth and development after joining the EU as an example. 

“Whether we get there depends only on us now. We mustn’t miss this historic chance that we have, and we have to vote for Europe, for our future and the future of our children. Which is why, I would like to once again reaffirm our European vision and perspective. The European values which we share with our German friends are our future. We, together with the EU, are united in diversity,” said the Prime Minister at the press conference.

Prime Minister Kovachevski stressed that apart from being North Macedonia’s key political partner, Germany is also the country’s top economic partner.

“In the past three decades of intensive cooperation, we have established and maintain a trade exchange which in 2022 stood at EUR 3.2 billion. Around 50 percent of North Macedonia’s total exports are to Germany,” said the PM.