Not only would I resign, but I would also consider it my greatest defeat, says PM about US blacklist
Skopje, 22 June 2023 (MIA) – Asked about Struga Mayor Ramiz Merko, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Thursday if he were to be placed on the U.S. blacklist, not only would he resign, but he would also consider it the greatest defeat in his personal and professional career.
The PM reiterated that the assertions of the U.S. which led to Merko’s blacklisting are serious and, he said, it is incomprehensible how the U.S. institutions which are 8.000 kilometers away, can have information about things that have happened in our country, while the country’s institution and judiciary can’t.
“This is why the Municipality of Struga should be open to sharing all its information with the relevant authorities, and they should be efficient in their work,” said Kovachevski.
This case, according to the PM, shows that we shouldn’t make generalizations about the whole system, and that every system consists of individuals.
“However, when you see the basis for his blacklisting, then you will be able to identify that individual responsibility if the institutions in charge of that focus on the case,” said Kovachevski.
Kovachevski said he believes the councilors in the Municipality of Struga should think about the way they will continue to operate, since Merko has been Mayor for several terms and has cooperated with councilors from several parties.
“I see VMRO-DPMNE’s press releases. VMRO-DPMNE is a political party whose headquarters are located in a criminally acquired, confiscated building, which besides that, is also an illegal construction. And then they should ask themselves about the case on them, and in whose drawer it is stuck. All groups in the Council should assess how they will proceed in the future with the Mayor, how they will operate and how they plan to continue considering they’ve been elected to protect and promote the rights of the citizens,” said Kovachevski.
The Prime Minister stressed that any government minister would be immediately dismissed if they were to be placed on the U.S. blacklist.
Photo: MIA Archive
