Skopje, 5 July 2022 (MIA) - In my opinion, North Macedonia belongs in the EU and in my opinion, your future is with us. Together we are on the eve of a possible breakthrough in your country’s EU accession process. The decision of course lies with you. It is your sovereign choice, European Council President Charles Michel told a news conference Tuesday in Skopje alongside Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski. This opportunity, he said, is too important to be missed and we have never been so close. "Macedonians, you have an historic opportunity to say 'yes': 'yes' to the start of negotiations, 'yes' to the EU, 'yes' for our children. Your country has a chance to once again become an enlargement frontrunner," Michel urged. He mentioned that last week, the Council of the EU had put forward a revised compromise solution. "I'm personally absolutely convinced this is a balanced solution that addresses your main concerns. The goal is clear: to start North Macedonia’s accession talks and to finally move forward to build our common EU future. If you say 'yes', the first intergovernmental conference will be organised in the next few days and will implement the March 2020 decision," the top EU official said. According to Michel, the next steps will follow immediately, most notably the screening process will begin and negotiating teams will be called to Brussels without delay. We are also very aware of the concerns expressed by some regarding your national identity, he acknowledged. "You can count on my full support, as President of the European Council, to systematically stand up for your legitimate rights. And good neighbourly relations are also an essential element in the enlargement process like it is for all Western Balkan partners," Michel said. As for respect for minorities, he continued it is enshrined in the EU Treaty. "North Macedonia has already built an impressive track record on this. You are an example of how a multi-ethnic country can advance. If you change the constitution, it will be seen as a further commitment to these high standards, it will automatically, without need for further decision, trigger the second IGC, and it will automatically complete the opening of the negotiations." Asked whether and if there is a way for Bulgaria to be prevented from blocking North Macedonia in the negotiations process based on bilateral issues, Michel said that in parallel with the opening of negotiations in a reciprocal process it would be possible for solutions to be made needed to identify the issues needed solving bilaterally. He pledged that the country can count on him and on the EU institutions in making sure the process will advance. Asked why a precedent has been made for North Macedonia to negotiate with the EU on topics that are bilateral, the European Council President said it is no secret that good neighborly relations are part of the accession process for the Western Balkans. Michel said that his Skopje visit comes at a crucial moment for North Macedonia but also for the EU, recalling that the 27 EU leaders had met with the Western Balkan leaders in Brussels two weeks ago, where they had "a frank, open and hard discussion." "We opened our ears, we listened carefully to each other, and as a result, we formally decided to inject a new dynamic and a new determination to move forward together with the Western Balkans. We want you to join us and our goal is to speed up the process. The launch of negotiations will rapidly bring advantages — in investment and trade, for instance. You will also be part of more EU initiatives and programmes, normally open only for EU Member States. You are deciding on your future and on the pivotal next steps," Michel concluded.