Belgrade, 29 October 2021 (MIA) – There’s always room for improving relations between Serbia and North Macedonia. Having excellent cooperation and open relations is crucial for North Macedonia, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said in an interview with Belgrade-based publication ‘Politika’. “Enough looking back. We’ve seen where that leads. We have to break down barriers and create opportunities for citizens in both countries,” Mickoski underlined. He, MIA reports from Belgrade, said that every regional initiative is welcome, including ‘Open Balkan’, but noted that it can’t replace the country’s strategic goal – EU accession. In regard to relations with Bulgaria, Mickoski added that VMRO-DPMNE will base relations with neighbors on the values of mutual respect and tolerance. “We won’t try to trick them into partnership using deception like Zaev has. We’ll be an honest friend and neighbor, working on a brighter future for the region on the principle of reciprocity,” Mickoski said. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, he expressed sorrow over the fact that 7,000 people lost their lives as a result of coronavirus. According to Mickoski, North Macedonia was the last country in the region to get vaccines because the government thought it best to wait for European vaccines, while at the same time procuring Chinese jabs at a high price. “Moreover, a month ago, in a tragic fire at the Tetovo COVID hospital, 14 patients were burned alive. Instead of taking responsibility, authorities published a release putting the blame on faulty cables, instead of the Health Minister or his deputy, which is unacceptable. Total absence has caused a great tragedy and fiasco in managing the coronacrisis and I’m really worried about this,” Mickoski added. In regard to EU, he underlined that people have a right to feel disappointed because they sacrificed a lot but got nothing in return. After signing agreements with Greece and Bulgaria, he added, the country has seen no progress on the EU path. “The country’s future is in the European Union. This goal can only be achieved by a government that fights for principles, values, is against crime and corruption, implements reforms and has open relations and respect for neighbors,” Mickoski told ‘Politika’. According to him, local election results showcase the need for changes in the executive branch. “Zaev’s government is losing political legitimacy and credibility because it didn’t deliver on promises it made to people,” Mickoski said. He added that VMRO-DPMNE is entering the runoff as the “absolute favorite.” “These local elections confirmed that the people are fighting back against politicians who are deaf to their demands, as well as the fact that the time of lies and unscrupulous politics is over. I expect that the loss of credibility from the local elections will be reflected at parliamentary level and changes will be made in the executive branch,” Mickoski said in the interview.