Skopje, 18 November 2023 (MIA) – The outcome of the December summit is clear, since we obviously cannot fulfill the precondition contained in the negotiating framework. Unfortunately, due to the firm position of the opposition, nothing has changed in the meantime, and it is clear that there cannot be a positive decision for us at the December summit, said President Stevo Pendarovski in answer to a journalist’s question Saturday over his expectations from the EU – Western Balkans Summit set to be held in December.

Pendarovski noted that the screening process is set to conclude in November, but underlined that the condition which was the main prerequisite for the holding of the second intergovernmental conference is not being fulfilled

Asked if he believes the Government and opposition can agree over a date for the next elections and whether he thinks the presidential and parliamentary elections should be held jointly, Pendarovski said the positions of the Government and opposition are getting closer, and it is possible that they will agree on a date for joint elections soon.

“I think their positions are getting closer and in the coming days we will likely have an official confirmation that an agreement has been reached over the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections within the same time period,” said President Pendarovski.

The President said it is too early to say if he would run for a second term, noting that this is something he will think about after New Year’s.

Photo: MIA