Ohrid, 1 September 2023 (MIA) – Not a single official representative of the EU has said that the Western Balkans will not join the EU until the Union reforms itself internally, said President Stevo Pendarovski in answer to journalist’s questions Friday.

“This is nothing new for those of us who have been following the Euro-integration processes for a longer time. Macron, at the beginning of his speech, specifically in the part where he talks about the EU’s internal reforms said: five years ago I told you what I am telling you know. That’s his old idea for deepening, ahead of enlargement, or deepening with enlargement,” said Pendarovski.

Pendarovski further stressed that the French President hasn’t made a single statement in which he says that the Western Balkans could not join the EU until the Union implements the reforms that he was talking about five years ago.

“France was the sponsor of the European negotiating framework that we adopted last year. Ms. Boone confirmed that this was the case as well, and she is a minister for Europe in Macron’s Administration. The words of the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, are a confirmation of this as well. If, because of domestic political reasons, you are looking for excuses about why you aren’t voting to continue Macedonia’s path to the EU, and you say you are ready to vote for Europe, but Macron doesn’t want us, then that is a separate issue. Let’s be accurate, realistic and fair towards our European friends, not a single European official has made a statement saying that the Western Balkans won’t be able to join, until the Union finishes its internal reforms,” said Pendarovski.

Pendarovski said that without internal obstructions, like those by the opposition, it would be possible for EU enlargement to happen even before 2030, adding that the French Secretary of European Affairs has said this.

“Every rational person knows the arguments in favor and against. It’s a completely clear dilemma. We have seven peoples and parts of peoples in the Constitution, would it be an issue to add six more parts of people to that same Constitution. How would that endanger Macedonia? Or, secondly, if you have political reasons to wait for the next elections, to win power, and only then to think about Europe, then that’s a different issue. This isn’t strategic thinking, this is narrow, partisan thinking which certainly clashes with Macedonia’s strategic interests,” said President Pendarovski.

Photo: MIA