Skopje, 16 September 2024 (MIA) - The French proposal plus is a complement to all that currently exists as a factual situation in such a way that we will be absolutely sure, without any hesitation, that from the moment we start negotiations with the EU, we will no longer have bilateralization of our accession path. This does not mean that a member state will not be able to block us in terms of non-delivery of reforms in the area of ​​public finances, in terms of non-delivery of reforms in the area of ​​the rule of law, but to stop these bilateral demands dragging us for more than 30 years, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski.  

In an interview with MRT 1's '360 Degrees', Mucunski said it can be achieved through the EU's institutions, if the Union is seriously committed to us and the region.  

"We primarily seek the guarantee through the institutions of the European Union, in a way that will have a serious commitment not only to us, but also to the region. And we think that in addition to the delayed application of the constitutional amendments, the application of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the establishment of a system between our country and the European institutions, it can be a fair way forward," Mucunski said. 

According to him, when there is a will among the member states, a way will be found to convince a member that is causing a problem, if the issue is strategic. The question is, he noted, whether the EU is sincere in wanting to enlarge with the Western Balkans, and he believes "it is sincere."

The Minister said he doesn't think that there need to be deadlines available, but being constructive, proactive and focused on the reform agenda.  

On Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski's travel to Brussels this week, Mucunski said "Prime Minister Mickoski will reiterate and present in Brussels everything that we have discussed in the past period".

"What Mickoski will say is what we have been saying for a long time at the meetings with our international partners. We want a solution, we want constructive and good relations, but at the same time we are not in favour of a solution at any cost, because such a solution is neither in our interest nor in the interest of the European stakeholders. Citizens should rest assured that they have a Government that says at all the meetings everything it says in public. Of course, we consult with all our key strategic partners on these issues, and I will reiterate that we are a NATO member country, and we aspire to become an EU member country. We want to be a country that will be a symbol of stability. From that point of view, Prime Minister Mickoski will reiterate and present in Brussels everything that we have discussed in the past period," Mucunski said. 

On the meeting between President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova and the Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Sofia, Mucunski said he expects an apology from Bulgaria and would not like to be disappointed by the neighbour.

"If the other side approaches in bona fide, as we do, then it is natural to apologize after such a protocol oversight and be able to say that it was a mistake and that no form of insult or mutual humiliation was intended," Mucunski said.

According to the Minister, the lack of reaction immediately after the meeting is due to the plane crash that happened in Bulgaria a few hours earlier that day.

"The only way to react to something like this, when you see that an institutional protocol oversight happened on the other side, is the way we reacted today as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A verbal reaction on the spot is not a formal reaction, and diplomatic protocol very strictly regulates these issues," said Mucunski. 

Asked what if Bulgaria sticks to the explanation that it was neither an official nor a working meeting and that therefore the usual protocol was not followed, Mucunski said that in that case the issue of bilateral relations is being concerned. 

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