Skopje, 20 June 2024 (MIA) – VMRO-DPMNE leader and PM-designate Hristijan Mickoski on Thursday reiterated that his position over the use of the constitutional name of the country is clear and that he is prepared to debate with facts.

“I’m a man prepared to face challenges. I’d like to see this challenge, too,” Mickoski said at a news conference in Parliament when asked for a comment on the latest statement by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who said Mickoski may find himself in an unpleasant position once the two prime ministers meet at the upcoming NATO summit. 

“If there are European politicians who use Taliban-like motives in the 21st century violating human rights, I’m fully prepared to debate. My interest is to build bridges and to have talks based on facts,” he said.

As long as there is manipulation and double standards, Mickoski stressed, we will be witnessing Taliban-style methods befitting medieval times, instead of looking at the future. 

“If we listened to their messages, the ratification of the protocol for Macedonia’s accession to the EU should have started by now. Some politicians who have been pretty vocal about the Prespa Agreement, six years ago had said to me looking me straight into my eyes we will be part of the EU in five-six years’ time. I’d like to see them now and tell them they have been manipulating this small but precious people at the heart of the Balkans,” he told reporters.

Photo: VMRO-DPMNE