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.<\/p>\n
They stated that their visit aims to convey the message of the EU\u2019s chief diplomat Josep Borrell, that North Macedonia does not have time to waste on constitutional changes regarding the inclusion of the Bulgarian minority.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.<\/p>\n
The constitutional amendment is a condition set by Bulgaria in order not to block North Macedonia\u2019s EU accession process.<\/p>\n
Schallenberg emphasized that Skopje has gone through a \u201cdifficult marathon\u201d and it would not be good to stumble at the final hurdle.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cFrench proposal\u201d for resolving the disagreements with Bulgaria over identity, language, and historical aspects.<\/p>\n
These differences have held back North Macedonia\u2019s European integration process since 2019.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cNorth 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,\u201d said Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg.<\/p>\n
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsk\u00fd stated that institutions must engage in European integration since, according to him, the EU guarantees prosperity for the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Wlachovsk\u00fd, quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe time is now; the solution is clear. We expect you to become an EU member as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani insisted that the government remains committed to meeting the criteria for EU membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 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,\u201d said Osmani, announcing the government\u2019s decision to submit the proposed constitutional amendments for approval in the Parliament.<\/p>\n
\nDelighted to host the #Slavkov<\/a> FMs @a_schallenberg<\/a> \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf9, @JanLipavsky<\/a> \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddff & @MWlachovsky<\/a> \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf0 in #Skopje<\/a> tdy.<\/p>\n
Grateful for their vocal support as sincere friends of \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddf0. <\/p>\n
The momentum behind #EU<\/a> integration is now\u2757<\/p>\n
#2030 pic.twitter.com\/uNDwe94BxQ<\/a><\/p>\n
— Bujar Osmani (@Bujar_O) July 13, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n