Skopje, 18 May 2023 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski addressed Thursday’s panel discussion “The future of EU enlargement – What are the benefits for North Macedonia and the European Union?”, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, European Movement in the Republic of North Macedonia, and Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, saying the constitutional changes are a priority for the country.

According to the President, there is a clear political will to lead a legitimate democratic debate for all other issues and then immediately fulfill those tasks as well. “In that sense,” said the President, “I urge all political parties and MPs to make their choice. And that choice is simple – either partisan interests or a European future for the Macedonian state.”

“For us, the priorities in the accession process are urgent. Our first task is to fulfill the obligation from the Negotiating Framework, which allowed the country to finally begin negotiations after more than a decade and a half, with the first Intergovernmental Conference and the screening process,” said Pendarovski.

The task, he added, is clear, and the country should fulfill it by adding the 3.500 citizens who declared themselves as ethnic Bulgarians in the latest census, to the Preamble of the Constitution. “By doing so,” said Pendarovski, “we will reaffirm that the respect for the rights of the ethnic communities and the multiculturalism of the Macedonian society are a unique mark which we are proud of.”

“While we are focused on the constitutional changes, we also need to carefully review all remarks from the screening process, because we will have to be ready for a process during which we cannot simulate reforms, but we will really have to change our system. Not only is the simulation of reforms not in the interest of the Macedonian citizens, but it is also impossible in a situation where the changes will be thoroughly monitored by the European institutions,” stressed the President.

Pendarovski stated that the rule of law is the beginning and the end of all reforms, a condition without which not a single segment of society can function.

“A country that cannot tackle corruption and provide functional institutions will not be able to implement a single reform in economy or environment, culture, sport…” stressed Pendarovski.

He also touched upon what he called the “political mantra” often heard in the EU and its member-states, but also in North Macedonia and other countries of the region.

“This is the term ‘enlargement fatigue’. And while it is understandable to hear this term from the citizens, it is completely unfathomable, unjustified and irresponsible for this term to be used as an excuse by political representatives which have been elected and paid to create policies and work for a better present and a better future for their citizens. Our task is to bring back the energy to the process, which, at least for the Western Balkan countries, is progressing very slowly. We, the political representatives of the citizens, should be aware that by repeating this mantra, not only are we spreading defeatism and harming the process, but we are also boosting the effect desired by the public and private opponents to the project of a united Europe,” said Pendarovski.

According to the President, the sole effect of such an attitude is a political vacuum which is already being created.

“Vacuums in politics don’t last long, and it is clear that instead of the EU, this vacuum will be filled by entities whose undemocratic and destructive influence causes divisions, conflicts and slows down socio-economic development. Therefore, my message to all political actors, even if they formally support EU integration, is that we need to stop worrying about the ‘fatigue’ and focus on the process,” said Pendarovski.

The panel was also addressed by EU Ambassador David Geer, Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Monika Zajkova, the leader of Alternativa, Afrim Gashi, as well as VMRO-DPMNE Vice President and Mayor of the Municipality of Aerodrom, Timcho Mucunski.

The event was opened by the President of the European Movement, Mileva Gjurovska, the official representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in North Macedonia, Daniel Brown, and the Senior Event Officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, Katerina Jakimovska.

Photo: MIA