Skopje, 28 July 2023 (MIA) – We will not give up on our efforts to adopt the constitutional amendments by the end of the term of this Parliament and Government. It is important that this happens this year so that we can be a part of the process for the creation of the new package for EU enlargement. The only thing that can be discussed are the conditions and the way in which to adopt the constitutional amendments, said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Bojan Marichikj after a media briefing Friday.

At the briefing Marichikj said the adoption of the amendments is a chance that the country mustn’t miss out on, “whether we will succeed in the end,” he said, “depends on the MPs,” and added that he is optimistic that they will be adopted by the end of the year.

“What we demonstrated is that the Government is really ready for serious and meaningful discussions with the opposition over the way in which we can reach a solution for the adoption of the constitutional amendments. We offered a political format as well, as part of which the opposition would be a part of the Government, we also offered a chance for additional guarantees for our institutions over how they behave during the negotiations, but we insist that we remain within the limits of the Negotiating Framework and of what is possible. That we avoid placing impossible conditions for ourselves, which will be an issue tomorrow. That’s why it is important, we are ready for dialogue, and of course the foreign presence is constantly here as well,” said Marichikj.

The Deputy PM reminded that over the past months the country has been visited by many ministers, statesmen, presidents and prime ministers, who all sent the same message over the adoption of the amendments in order to continue the EU path. Marichikj voiced conviction that it is possible to achieve this without the need for mediation.

“We have strategic partners, friends who are interested in the conclusion of this process, and this is also in the interest of our citizens, and that’s why we, as a Government, are open for any initiative for talks. I think there is no need for mediation if there is goodwill, because the arguments have been out on the table for a long time now. We’ve been talking about this proposal, and how it should be realized, for a whole year. I think we can reach a solution if we are all honest and if we want to do something good for the country. And of course, the time will come for elections as well, for different opinions and political war. This is unavoidable in democracy. But, it is important that the citizens see us do something for them together,” stressed the Deputy PM.

Marichikj noted that the visits of foreign statesmen are expected to continue at the end of August. He also highlighted events such as the Brdo-Brijuni Process with the presence of all Presidents of the region, and announced that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will visit the country in October as part of her tour of the region.

Regarding the possibility of a new leaders’ meeting, Marichikj stressed that the invitation for talks is constantly open and that there is currently no idea, nor intention for a leaders’ meeting, however, he said, a channel of communication exists and should exist, and the option remains open, if the need arises and if the opposition wants to meet.

The Deputy PM also assessed that any delays of the constitutional amendments process would be at the expense of the country.

“Any delays wouldn’t be good, they would be at our expense. It is not an issue. However, consider the fact that after New Year’s the procedures for presidential elections will begin. The Presidential elections are tied to a deadline. Pendarovski’s current term end on May 12, and a new President should be elected by then, so we will be preoccupied with that. Let’s not forget that there are elections in the EU Parliament in June, and the focus will be elsewhere. Our goal is to remain in the focus, and that is only possible if we accomplish our tasks by the end of the screening process,” said Marichikj.

The Deputy PM said that the Government will insist that there are no time gaps or additional obstacles for the opening of the first cluster of negotiations.

“We won’t allow the creation of significant time gaps, pauses, or new demands or processes, apart from what is already included in the negotiating framework, which is why we are working with the European Commission and with the member states to make sure that the dates align,” said Deputy PM Marichikj.