The envoy of the United States of America for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, stated on Friday in Skopje that the US encourages North Macedonia to continue on the path of European integration, as he said, “the US wants to see this country near the European structures”.
The constitutional changes for the inclusion of the Bulgarian minority in its preamble, as a state-forming people, are part of the Skopje Agreement with Sofia, and a condition for North Macedonia to continue negotiations with the EU for membership in the European bloc.
American diplomat in Skopje was received by the country’s president Stevo Pendarovski and prime minister Dimitar Kovacevski, while he will also have a meeting with the leader of the Macedonian opposition, Hristijan Mickoski.
After the meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, Escobar said that he hopes that the Assembly of North Macedonia will continue with the process of approving the constitutional changes.
“We want to see you in the European Union. You are a member of the Euro-Atlantic Council, so we want you to be as close as possible to European structures. I am glad that this process has started and I hope it will continue”, Escobar declared.
The American diplomat said that he will convey the same messages to the head of VMRO DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski, who said before the meeting that “Escobar is welcome to listen to his arguments against the constitutional changes, but not for pressures and torture when it comes to this matter”.
Escobar said that “natural partners” of the USA will be all those who are committed to European integration, NATO and the fight against corruption.
“I mean, no one here will be subjected to torture. The US does not choose the governments of NATO members. However, we have expectations and I will convey the same message as throughout the region that the US sees as natural partners those who are committed to European integration, NATO and the fight against corruption”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski said that the strong support from the international factor, for the continuation of the European integration process through the adoption of constitutional amendments, “proves the right path of the institutions of North Macedonia”.
“The USA has been and will be with us. It is the biggest supporter since the independence of North Macedonia and will continue to support us”, Kovacevski said.
He rejected the claims of the Macedonian opposition that “constitutional changes harm Macedonian interests, therefore they refuse their support”.
“The negotiating framework is a document approved by all EU member states. It contains the conditions that we must fulfill, but also the EU. There will be no new agreement. This is a negotiating framework that has also been approved by the Assembly. It guarantees our European identity, language and future. There will be no new requests from Bulgaria, and for this we have the support of the EU and the USA”, said the Macedonian Prime Minister.
“The EU is our only alternative, as citizens want to be part of Europe, as they want a better future. They want integration and not isolation,” Kovacevski declared, among other things.
“We believe that the deputies will make the right decision to become part of the EU by 2030, since any other decision will not guarantee when we will become a member of the EU. This must not happen, or to be held hostage by those who prioritize political benefits”, he said.
The agreement between North Macedonia and Bulgaria is based on what is known as the “French proposal”, which was approved in the assemblies of both countries.
This agreement paved the way for Skopje to start negotiations for membership in the European Union on July 19.
But, if the constitutional changes are not approved, then the talks will not be able to continue, as Sofia retains the right of veto, which she used in November 2020.
