Skopje, 14 April 2023 (MIA) - The European idea is the fuel for the region's progress but also the glue that binds various narratives living in this country, holding them together in a mutual story, whereas the issue of constitutional changes related to the European process is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enter the final stage before the European Union membership, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani on Friday.

"It might be case that if we miss this opportunity we will make the same constitutional changes after 10-15 years, but half a million people will have left the country by then and the hope for a European perspective would be lost, along with all consequences that follow," FM Osmani told a joint press conference with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.

Osmani said everyone would suffer just because some politicians find winning more votes at elections to be more important.

"We saw this with the name issue and we should all decide if we allow this for the second time. Due to the geopolitical circumstances, I predict that the Balkans will be given a fast accession track and everyone understands the importance of the region's consolidation. If we miss this opportunity and go into isolation, we will not be able to join that fast track. And then, after a decade or more, we will sit down and make the same constitutional changes, but years will have been lost because of politicians who find the next elections more important than the interest of the people and the state," said Osmani.

He added that if political parties are sincere in their proposals regarding the constitutional changes, they have to be part of the process, otherwise citizens will realize they are being played with.

"I believe it is important to have a debate on the constitutional changes in the commission not in public, because the purpose of that entire debate is lost. Commission members are there to present their ideas. If they are there to support the process of constitutional changes related to the European framework then ok, if we see they are part of the commission to use it as an alibi to block the process, then I believe we should be cautious," said Osmani.

Photo: MFA