Skopje, 8 September 2023 (MIA) - I do not think that our citizens, especially the Macedonians, have anything against Bulgarians, but they are fed up with demands and conditioning that no one in the EU has had to date, says President Stevo Pendarovski.

President Pendarovski told TV Sitel that if the country passes the current hurdle, it will make swift progress because "we will be monitored", adding that the country can join EU even before 2030.

"I don't believe that Macedonians have anything against Bulgarians and their incorporation in the Constitution but say 'wait a minute, this is a long series of demands, we waited 17 years for the start of the negotiations, now more demands, tomorrow there might be a third or fifth demand from another member-state'. And people are right, you cannot make up accession criteria specifically for me. The organization has a basic set of criteria, there are sets and sub-sets that are negotiated under specific requirements. I can tell you that our citizens will change the Constitution even ten times if you tell them that the rule of law in functioning, there is freedom of media, professional administration. I understand the people's anger, it is not the first time this has happened," says Pendarovski.

According to him, goodneighborly relations as EU accession criterion is one thing, but it is entirely different when someone says 'you must change the Constitution, you must put North'.

"I do not think that our citizens, especially the Macedonians, have anything against Bulgarians, but they are fed up with demands and conditioning that no one in the EU has had to date. This organization was founded in 1957 and no one has had such accession criteria, not even close. It is one thing to have goodneighborly relations, this is a criterion, but it is another when someone says 'now you have to change the Constitution, and you must have North, let's not forget that unique situation," explains the President.

He reiterates his support for the constitutional amendments but also understands the citizens' anger.

"If one considers the requirement itself - adding six more parts of nations in the Constitution - this is nothing contentious, but people are asking is there an end to this. What is the guarantee this will not happen again. I support these amendments but also understand the people's anger, each one of us feel this," says Pendarovski.

The President notes that North Macedonia is the best-prepared candidate in the history of European enlargement.

"It is not only a phrase when I say that we can join even before 2030, because we were candidates for 17 years and we are super-prepared. We are the best-prepared candidate in the history of European enlargement. If we pass this hurdle, I believe that through stronger EU monitoring with regard to corruption, crime, professionalism and transparency of institutions, we will make swift progress," underlines Pendarovski.

Photo: MIA archive