Skopje, 28 February 2023 (MIA) - The impossibility of adopting the constitutional amendments means stalling the European process of the EU negotiations. Whoever challenges them even from the position of opposition at the moment, should know that when they happen to be in power, they will have to go through the constitutional amendments. No government, no society, can withstand the pressure of stalled long-term EU perspectives, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said in an interview with the Voice of America.

"Constitutional amendments are in our interest for many reasons. First, because we are giving a new direction to relations with Bulgaria, i.e. to Macedonian-Bulgarian relations. We give a new dimension that the majority Macedonian people and the Bulgarian minority community are clearly defined in the Constitution, and this paves the way for what will be the long-term relationship between the two communities in the region and in North Macedonia. The second reason is because it sets our path to the EU. Not a single country in the Western Balkans region has a good perspective, without a European perspective. Why delay, stalling the process is to the detriment of the citizens. I see no reason why we should not gather strength and reach a consensus regarding an issue that is in the national interest of Macedonians and all other citizens as a whole," said Osmani. 

As regards relations with Bulgaria and how positive developments can be seen, Osmani said "this is a classic hijacking of relations by Bulgaria's political parties". 

"In order to capitalize on it in the next elections, and the fact that there is no political government, for a long time, has allowed a cleared space for conservative ideas to come to the surface in the Bulgarian society and dictate the dynamics. Such conservative moments are usually suppressed by a political government, because they harm not only the states, but the international position of relations between states. Unfortunately, in Bulgaria, the lack it allows some radical elements to come to the surface, which try to constantly provoke our society, and what I am trying to do is not to fall in those traps and do mistakes along the way, because for us the most important thing is to maintain the image with the 26 EU member states, which for the time being is impeccable in relation to all our policies and achievements," Osmani said. 

Asked about the issue of corruption which the United States sees as key issue to be resolved, as corruption continues to hinder the country's progress, and how the US sanctions team can help with this issue, Osmani said that at the core of the Action Plan within the Strategic Dialogue with the United States is the anti-corruption policy. 

"In addition to visiting Washington as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, for a hearing at the Helsinki Commission, it is also important to talk to US representatives regarding the Strategic Dialogue we launched. We have turned the strategic agreement with the United States into an Action Plan. And at the core of that Action Plan is the anti-corruption policy. Today, I am talking to all stakeholders about how the United States should support that anti-corruption policy. We now have two mechanisms to support that policy. One is the Strategic Dialogue with the United States, and the other is the start of negotiations with the EU. We have two hands that support and encourage that process. There is no escape from facing corruption. I think it is an important issue to heal society. Unfortunately, those who block the constitutional amendments push the topic of anti-corruption into the background, adding focus to these political issues, relations with Bulgaria, constitutional amendments, instead of removing those issues and turning the spotlight on the anti-corruption policy. Not only our strategic partners, the United States, but also in society itself, there is a consensus that it should be a basic topic in the country," Osmani told the Voice of America. 

Photo: Voice of America