English
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski today described yesterday’s meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as exceptionally friendly, productive, and substantive, emphasizing that it could prove pivotal for future processes, although he noted he was not satisfied with the messages regarding constitutional amendments.
“I would characterize the meeting as exceptionally friendly, productive, and substantive, and I believe it may well prove crucial for certain future processes. I expect these processes to begin as early as next week, given that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has already submitted a request to our counterparts in our eastern neighbor for a bilateral meeting. On the other hand, I cannot say I am satisfied with the messages conveyed by the President. She clearly stated that the constitutional amendment remains on the table—a commitment accepted by the previous government,” Mickoski said in response to a reporter’s question after inspecting construction work on the bridge being built on Ljubljanska Street in the Municipality of Karposh. He accused the previous coalition led by SDSM and DUI of attempting—due to a lack of creativity and proposals to resolve the situation—to spread messages “through lies and fabrications” that the current government intends to alter the negotiating framework.Mickoski announced that the government would continue its activities, noting, however, that time and patience are required. “These are processes involving quislings who sell off the country’s assets, versus a patriotic government that loves the state and must reclaim what those quislings have sold away,” Mickoski said.He also addressed the former coalition partners, specifically referring to SDSM, while stating regarding DUI that “they were not interested, nor did they have any emotional attachment, when reaching any agreement there.”According to Mickoski, the messages from von der Leyen are nonetheless encouraging—particularly the point that the government’s personal commitment and the comparative assessment of reforms demonstrate that the country is the best in the region.“Gradual integration also presents an opportunity for us. All of this encourages and motivates us to continue on the path of reform in the period ahead.” I have trips to Brussels scheduled twice in November: the first is to meet the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, and the second is for the regional summit involving the European Union and the Western Balkans. So, we will fight. There is no giving up; we will fight. It isn’t easy—our predecessors sold off too much, destroyed too much, and stole too much—but we are not quitting. We will recover what was stolen, and we will fight to reclaim what was sold off. That is this generation’s task,” the Prime Minister stated.Regarding the announced bilateral meeting with the Bulgarian side—and in response to a journalist’s questions about whether there was any feedback, what he expected from the meeting, and what might happen if it were refused—Mickoski said that such a scenario would “once again confirm all the arguments we have raised and the concerns we hold,” though he added that he did not expect that to happen.“I don’t expect it; it wouldn’t be wise for them to refuse, but fine—that is their sovereign decision; it is not ours.” “I received—I would say—constructive advice from the President to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to request a meeting on the sidelines of the gathering regarding Corridor 8. I did so, as I believe the President was absolutely right in her suggestion. The Minister made the request; now it is up to our eastern neighbor to decide on the next steps,” Mickoski stated.