Prilep, 3 December 2021 (MIA) – VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski has raised concerns that the outgoing prime minister is prepared to sign a new agreement with Bulgaria, which as he said, will be a direct blow to the identity of the Macedonian people. The information we’ve been receiving is alarming, he told reporters in Prilep. “The outgoing prime minister, Zoran Zaev, is prepared to sign a new agreement with Bulgaria despite convincing us he had settled all open issues with the neighbor. It would pave the way for assimilation of the Macedonian people and a direct blow to the identity. Since he is stepping down, I’m concerned he might do it and we will all pay for the consequences,” he said. VMRO-DPMNE, the opposition leader said, is conveying a message to the new government in Bulgaria that we will not respect such unilateral agreement signed with a government without credibility after the ruling party was defeated in the local elections. Mickoski expressed readiness for talks “on what the future holds, not what we have left behind.” “We want to have talks on good education, tourism, infrastructure, everything that brings progress,” Mickoski said calling the country’s partners in Brussels to extend support. VMRO-DPMNE will hold a congress to elect a leader on December 12, the same day as the scheduled congress of the ruling SDSM, where members will elect Zoran Zaev’s successor.