In an interview with the Macedonian service of Voice of America, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said that Skopje should not make any compromises on the rule of law.
He made these comments in response to a question about whether he had any information regarding possible negotiations between the Government and former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to approve constitutional amendments.
Escobar said he had no information and could not speculate on this issue but emphasized the importance of the rule of law on North Macedonia’s path to becoming a member of the European Union.
Escobar also discussed the possibility of new U.S. sanctions against corrupt actors in the country. He stated that the United States sees sanctions as an effective tool in the fight against corruption, warning of possible new measures in the future.
Voice of America: Mr. Escobar, there is currently no publicly known agreement between the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) for the constitutional amendments to pass in the Parliament. From your communications with Government representatives and the opposition, do you have any reason to believe that these changes will happen?
Gabriel Escobar: I don’t want to engage in speculation. All I can say is that from the American perspective, we would really like to see North Macedonia as a member of the European Union. From our perspective, North Macedonia is a significant partner in NATO, a significant two-way partner, and we know it would be an important member of the European Union. Therefore, the country and the people of North Macedonia have our full support to do what is necessary to join the European Union.
Voice of America: The opposition calls for elections to take place before addressing issues related to Bulgaria. What is your comment on this?
Gabriel Escobar: This is something the people of North Macedonia should decide. Moreover, I think it’s up to the voters in the country to make their opinion clear about how they want to proceed. It doesn’t depend on the United States. I will simply reiterate that we want a prosperous and vibrant North Macedonia, one that engages in every Euro-Atlantic institution that exists.
Voice of America: Mr. Escobar, what if the amendments are not approved?
Gabriel Escobar: The demands for changes and the progress that has been negotiated are between North Macedonia and the European Union, not with us. Our position is that the United States is ready to assist this country with everything it needs to become part of the European Union.
Voice of America: Opposition leader Hristijan Mickoski, in an interview with a German newspaper, recently claimed that the Government is preparing and I quote, “shady deals and plans to promise Gruevski impunity so that he can return and assist in the approval of constitutional amendments”. Do you have reliable information about negotiations and possible agreements between the Government and former Prime Minister Gruevski, who has fled to Hungary, for the sake of constitutional changes?
Gabriel Escobar: I have no information about that. But what’s important is that North Macedonia, on its path forward, should not compromise its ideals or compromise its progress in terms of the rule of law. Regarding this specific case, I have no information.
Voice of America: If it were true, what would be your comment?
Gabriel Escobar: I don’t want to speculate on hypothetical matters, but I’ll say it again: the rule of law is important to support as North Macedonia progresses toward Europe. Because joining the European Union is about standards and values and a commitment to the rule of law.
Voice of America: Regarding corruption, the Parliament of North Macedonia reduced penalties related to abuse of official position. According to some media reports, these changes have been made in a way to secure the votes of VMRO lawmakers for the constitutional amendments. If (and when) these constitutional changes are being made, is it at the expense of the rule of law and the people who deserve justice?
Gabriel Escobar: Again, I won’t speculate on what is happening within the country. This is for the people of North Macedonia to decide. I want to be very clear that our stance is that any country that has entered the European Union is wealthier, more democratic, and more sustainable due to its commitment to values and the rule of law. The reforms required for EU accession should be supported. They should not be a means to an end for North Macedonia, and not for internal political gain by any of the parties. So, we will continue to stand by those people who want reforms and want to meet their European aspirations.
Voice of America: Thousands of American dollars have been invested in North Macedonia’s judicial system. Are you concerned about how American taxpayers’ money is being spent given the lack of reforms in the judiciary?
Gabriel Escobar: The challenges to the rule of law and corruption are perhaps the greatest challenges, the biggest problem in the Western Balkans for all countries, so we are constantly encouraging governments to do more, to encourage the implementation of reforms, and to encourage leaders, both in the Parliament and the Government, to show concrete results in the fight against corruption and the strengthening of institutions, which are the foundation of the rule of law.
Voice of America: Do you think American sanctions are effective since the people targeted by the State Department’s sanctions, essentially seem to enjoy life in North Macedonia with a change in the penal code, such as (Sašo) Mijalkov and (Nikola) Gruevski, for example?
Gabriel Escobar: Let me tell you, sanctions are extremely effective, that’s why everyone is afraid of them, so they are an important mechanism for the U.S. Government to assist in the fight against corruption. So, with or without partners in the region, sanctions will move forward, and they will bring about changes. I can say that throughout the region, we actually have partners who are willing to work with us to achieve the goals we have to fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law.
Voice of America: Are you satisfied with the partnership that North Macedonia is offering in this regard?
Gabriel Escobar: I think North Macedonia and the rest of the region have made significant strides since the 1990s. The people in the region and their leaders know that the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the rule of law must continue. In some countries, progress is very slow, but we want to cooperate with those countries to improve it, and this includes North Macedonia. It should be very clear that this is a problem that affects the entire region, not just one or two countries.
Voice of America: Are the United States considering new sanctions for corrupt actors in North Macedonia, and are current politicians expected to be on that list?
Gabriel Escobar: We do not disclose our actions or sanctions, but I can tell you that the United States will continue to view sanctions as an effective tool in the fight against corruption. So, you can expect more.
Voice of America: Mr. Escobar, regarding North Macedonia’s EU perspective. Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani stated that he is very confident that there will be more demands from Bulgaria in the future. Does Washington have any guarantees from the Bulgarian side that there won’t be new vetoes if the constitutional changes are approved?
Gabriel Escobar: I have spoken with my Bulgarian counterparts, and they have assured me that they do not intend to add more conditions. They would like to see progress with the current roadmap. And we want to make sure that we can work with all parties to fulfill those conditions.
Voice of America: So, to clarify; are there guarantees from Bulgaria?
Gabriel Escobar: I wouldn’t call them guarantees. The United States is not in a position to accept guarantees for a process that is not our own. But they have assured us that Bulgaria wants to see the region move forward on its European path.
Voice of America: So, that means there won’t be a veto if the conditions are met?
Gabriel Escobar: That’s how I have interpreted it.
