North Macedonia risks isolation if it does not approve constitutional changes, warned the Foreign Ministers of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia during a visit to Skopje on July 13.
They stated that their visit aims to convey the message of the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell, that North Macedonia does not have time to waste on constitutional changes regarding the inclusion of the Bulgarian minority.
“We want you to proceed with the necessary constitutional changes so that you can continue with the negotiations for EU membership. Delaying the approval of the constitutional amendments means delaying the accession process to the Union. This would be detrimental,” said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
The constitutional amendment is a condition set by Bulgaria in order not to block North Macedonia’s EU accession process.
Schallenberg emphasized that Skopje has gone through a “difficult marathon” and it would not be good to stumble at the final hurdle.
“If the constitutional changes are not approved, North Macedonia risks isolation, so you must do everything to fulfill this obligation. National interests should take precedence over partisan ones, and therefore responsibility is needed,” he declared.
North Macedonia is required to make these changes in order to include the Bulgarian minority in the preamble of the Constitution as a constituent people, as envisaged by what is known as the “French proposal” for resolving the disagreements with Bulgaria over identity, language, and historical aspects.
These differences have held back North Macedonia’s European integration process since 2019.
After meeting with North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, the three ministers stated that they were not in Skopje for bilateral meetings but to convey the strong message of Borrell, encouraging North Macedonian authorities to continue on the path towards EU membership.
Schallenberg said that this process should be accelerated due to other geopolitical circumstances, such as the conflict in Ukraine caused by Russian aggression, which poses a serious threat to the Western Balkans.
“North Macedonia and all countries in the region should become part of the EU. Now is the time to think about strategic actions. In this regard, our message to Bulgaria is to overcome bilateral differences and work with strategy,” said Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated that institutions must engage in European integration since, according to him, the EU guarantees prosperity for the country.
“We are here to express support for your country and to encourage all political actors to take the necessary steps for the country to become an EU member. I always say that NATO guarantees security, while the EU guarantees prosperity. This process must be completed,” he said.
Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Wlachovský, quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said:
“The time is now; the solution is clear. We expect you to become an EU member as soon as possible.”
North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani insisted that the government remains committed to meeting the criteria for EU membership.
“In the coming weeks, the deputies will be faced with a choice, whether to make constitutional changes or remain in the past with blackmail, which will later be forgotten by everyone,” said Osmani, announcing the government’s decision to submit the proposed constitutional amendments for approval in the Parliament.
Delighted to host the #Slavkov FMs @a_schallenberg 🇦🇹, @JanLipavsky 🇨🇿 & @MWlachovsky 🇸🇰 in #Skopje tdy.
Grateful for their vocal support as sincere friends of 🇲🇰.
The momentum behind #EU integration is now❗
#2030 pic.twitter.com/uNDwe94BxQ
— Bujar Osmani (@Bujar_O) July 13, 2023
Constitutional changes are approved in the Parliament of North Macedonia with a two-thirds majority or 80 out of 120 votes, which the parliamentary majority does not have, thus requiring the support of the opposition. However, VMRO-DPMNE is against these changes, arguing that including the Bulgarian minority in the Constitution will not end the “Bulgarian dictate” against the Macedonian people.
