Skopje, 5 April 2024 (MIA) - DUI presidential candidate Bujar Osmani said Friday that if elected, he would first sit down with all political parties so they reach a national consensus around the country's EU membership. He says North Macedonia has no other option than adopting the constitutional changes right after the elections, prior to the government's formation.

Osmani told a press conference that judging by the atmosphere within political parties, a government cannot be formed without an agreement over the constitutional changes.

"I am certain there will be an agreement over the constitutional changes first, and only then a government. As president, I will use that period for a pan-partisan, national consensus on these issues. Judging by the atmosphere within political parties, a government cannot be formed without an agreement over the constitutional changes in 2024. The first thing I will do as head of state is summon party leaders and major stakeholders in the country for a meeting that will last as long as it needs to, days or weeks, but we will not leave the room until we come to an agreement, a national consensus, that EU has no alternative and that we will continue to compete on all topics but not the EU, since Union directives and regulations are fixed - you either accept them or reject them. I believe we have a consensus over their acceptance, so why having differences over the EU process," noted Osmani.

According to him, the upcoming elections are a referendum on the EU, since the country is at a crossroad - a rich and prosperous future or isolation and conflict.

"The EU integration process is merit-based but also geopolitical. Europe's iron door opens at certain geopolitical moments and accepts only those who are prepared. It opened in 2004 for ten countries who joined and then it closed. It opened a bit in 2007 and then closed again. The door is now also open because of the Russian aggression, it will remain open temporarily and close again. The first signs that the door is opening was the start of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. We have no alternative to the constitutional amendments right after the elections and prior to the government formation, opening and closing of chapters up to 2028. We have already transposed 50 percent of the European Acquis and we are halfway done. We can do this in the next four years and we showed our capacity during the screening. We only need national consensus. Following a year or two for the agreement's ratification in the parliaments of EU member-states, we can become members by 2030, while promoting our project 'More Integration before membership' in the meantime," said Osmani.

Asked if Greece could exercise the veto if the new PM did to use of the constitutional name in official communication, Osmani said the failure to use the constitutional name would violate the Constitution.

"This is the same as violating the laws and the Constitution on any issue. The new constitutional name is North Macedonia and no one should be above the laws and the Constitution," said Osmani.

He said the next promise - fight against corruption and crime - would be presented in the coming days.

Photo: MIA