Skopje, 27 November 2024 (MIA) - The European Union’s new Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, told journalists Wednesday that she expects North Macedonia to change its Constitution, because, she said, it is what the European Union is counting on, according to MIA’s reporter in Strasbourg.

“It is something that we are counting on. Nothing less, nothing more. I believe that this is possible, and after that we can really accelerate the process,” Kos stressed.

Asked if guarantees could be provided that there won’t be any new blockades, Kos said she isn’t the one that can answer that question.

In terms of what she sees as a potential solution for the issue with Bulgaria, the Commissioner pointed to talking to both sides as much as possible. 

“To talk to them, to talk to them as much as possible. Both to North Macedonia and Bulgaria too. We have to show that it is in our hands how we will solve the bilateral problems. Without this, and of course, following the EU values, we will not be able, on both sides, to do what’s the best for the European Union and, of course, what’s best for North Macedonia,” Kos said.

The Commissioner said enlargement today is different than it was five years ago.

“The geopolitical situation is different; the dynamic of enlargement today is completely different. There are realistic chances that we will have several countries reach the end of the process for their entry into the EU in the next few years. I don’t know which countries those will be, but it will be the ones that meet all criteria,” Kos said.

Asked if 2030 is a realistic goal for the Western Balkans’ EU accession, Kos said her nomination will be positive for the region.

“I think my appointment is positive for the Western Balkans, I will have close cooperation as much as possible with the countries who are ready to join the EU, to visit them all so that we really work towards their accession to the EU,” the new Commissioner for Enlargement told journalists. 

Photo: MIA/MIA Archive