Skopje, 10 June 2023 (MIA) - The working groups to resume the discussions on the constitutional amendments are the right format for SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE to agree on the details because each proposal has its own specifics that have to be implemented and impact the country's European integration, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Saturday.

PM Kovachevski said VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski committed himself after their meeting earlier this week "to take part in the process of passing the required decisions for the country's European integration".

"I shared his position and commitment with the SDSM central and executive boards but also our international partners who followed that press conference, at which all demands that VMRO-DPMNE had were practically accepted by all political stakeholders in the country. The Alliance of Albanians has also given VMRO-DPMNE a push. I would not comment statements given at rallies or similar events, since they always have a rather different purpose," said Kovachevski over VMRO-DPMNE's position that working groups would be needless if SDSM failed to agree on the implementation of the constitutional changes when North Macedonia joined the EU.

The PM noted it would be bad if the opposition leader retracted from the undertaken commitment for the process' completion, as agreed at their meeting.

"I believe that if he has decided to retract everything he said at the press conference, which is that he accepts the constitutional amendments and incorporation of parts of other nations, including part of the Bulgarian people, in the Constitution Preamble, that he accepts to join a Government together with SDSM and other coalition partners, then he should say this at an official meeting," said Kovachevski.

He recalled that DUI has also accepted to not be part of the government that included VMRO-DPMNE, adding that all details should be agreed by working groups "if everything that was said was uttered with sincerity".

When asked if another leaders' meeting is possible, the PM briefly answered "we'll see".

"I think they should think a little bit longer because it came to VMRO-DPMNE as a shock. After a year of protests, saying you are defending the country, saying you will never accept the constitutional amendments, suddenly your leader says at a press conference that the constitutional revision is acceptable," said Kovachevski.

Regarding the formation of a 'caretaker government' after the 'broad government' ahead of next year's parliamentary elections, he said it would be better for VMRO-DPMNE not to have a caretaker government if they joined the government now.

"We will all vote to open the Constitution and then form a government in which SDSM will transfer 50 percent of its departments to VMRO-DPMNE. This government will complete the process of constitutional changes, finish the screening process, do the second intergovernmental conference, open the chapters, even close 1-2 chapters of the Fundamentals cluster, and then hold elections. VMRO-DPMNE will not be in opposition and this is better for them rather than having a caretaker government. However, if the law says a caretaker government must be composed, then we will do that. Laws must be respected," said Kovachevski.

The SDSM central board decided late Friday to set up a working group, headed by party's secretary-general Mile Zechevikj, to resume the talks with VMRO-DPMNE and all other parliamentary political parties over the next specific steps around the constitutional changes 

Earlier today, VMRO-DPMNE said that the establishment of such a working group made sense only if SDSM said which of the two proposals that VMRO-DPMNE made was acceptable to them - a transitional government without DUI and constitutional changes that would enter into force on the day the country joined the EU, or early elections this fall.

"Otherwise, there is no need for further talks and time-wasting," VMRO-DPMNE MP Antonijo Miloshoski told a press conference.