Skopje, 13 July 2023 (MIA) - North Macedonia and its citizens are unequivocally committed to European Union membership. The country has created a European model of a multiethnic functional democracy, demonstrated European culture of dialogue and compromise, as well as perseverance in meeting criteria. We find ourselves on crossroads again but we hold the key to the continuation of the Euro-integration process. We will make a historic mistake if we do not stay on the current course, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani on Thursday.

"On one hand, negotiations have started, the screening has been successfully implemented and we are a few months away from the opening of the clusters and the chapters. However, this is the first time we hold the key to unlock the chapters and clusters and successfully continue the negotiating process. On the other hand, we are facing resistance imposed by some members of the opposition, irrational resistance I would say, because the constitutional amendment that we have undertaken as a task does not change the essence of our constitutional arrangement in any way. Maybe even the word 'amendment' is wrong and we might use the word 'addition', since the constitutional order is not changed but several communities are added, thus enlarging the otherwise multiethnic structure of our country. This is something that we have been continually highlighting as our advantage and success," FM Osmani told a joint press conference with visiting counterparts Alexander Schallenberg of Austria, Jan Lipavský of the Czech Republic, and Miroslav Wlachovský of Slovakia.

He said Europe is currently coping with turbulent and complex times, a period when the process of European integration is increasingly becoming a security issue.

"Only two days ago, the Vilnius Summit demonstrated the power of enlargement in another Alliance by unsticking Sweden's process to join NATO, an event that undoubtedly instilled a new hope and optimism for a strong and stable Europe on the long run. EU enlargement is facing a similar integration momentum that we must not miss. North Macedonia cannot afford to go into the group of candidate-states or potential candidates that have open issues and that are not placed on the fast accession track. We will make a historic mistake if we fail to remain on the current track that we worked hard to get back to after many years of waiting," said Osmani.

The FM said lawmakers will have to choose in the next few weeks - to continue with the constitutional amendments or "we will close that door by using excuses that no one will remember afterward."

When quizzed on the timeline for adoption of the constitutional amendments and to provide assurances that no other EU member would hinder the process, Osmani said this is dictated by the screening process that is expected to finish sometime in November, while adding there are no other prerequisites other than those defined in the negotiating framework.

"The membership talks started in July last year and their continuation through clusters and chapters depends on the adoption of the constitutional amendments. The decision on the start of the negotiations was adopted by all 27 EU member-states. It includes roadmaps and an action plan for a minority proposed by Bulgaria, and we have launched the formal communication to define this action plan. There are no other prerequisites in these roadmaps. Of course, the Prespa Agreement and the Friendship Treaty are part of these roadmaps but there are no obligations for submission of written reports on the implementation of these treaties. We signed these agreements in good will and we will implement them, we will abide by the provisions of all protocols we have signed, but those provisions of the bilateral agreements do not dictate the tempo of our EU accession," said Osmani.

Regarding the potential negative feelings within the Macedonian society towards the EU because of the concessions that have been made, the FM said the credibility of the enlargement process and EU institutions must be maintained by way of "bridging that includes the use of integration benefits even before membership itself".

"If this accelerated accession for candidate-states is maintained and they become part of the European Single Market and use cohesive structural funds, then we can maintain the credibility of enlargement and European institutions. I believe this is the solution and am pleased that the EU has responded to this request, so that we get the feeling we own the process and are fully engaged in the entire enlargement process," said Osmani.

On the challenge related to the constitutional amendments, he noted that the country is faced with two options.

"There are two trajectories ahead of us. One is the fast track for EU accession, while the second is the group of countries with bilateral problems that must be solved first and then to move towards the EU. We have a historic opportunity to put North Macedonia into the group of countries that has no open bilateral issues, resulting in accelerated Union accession process. I hope the debate will start once the MPs and the citizens see the text of the amendments. There is currently a lot of propaganda and people cannot perceive the essence of the constitutional amendments, which only enhance the country's multiethnic character," underlined FM Osmani.