The countries of the Western Balkans face serious challenges, but we must show wisdom and maturity that will reflect the vision and perspective of the region, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said in an interview with today’s issue of the Belgrade daily “Politika”.

I believe in a new common future and common patriotism that will unite us in solving common problems, to fight for a better standard, for better education and health. Let us leave the big national issues that have never brought good to the Balkans, let us fight for a better life, because only that can bring progress. In that context, any initiative that will accelerate that process and demonstrate the rapprochement of nations is to be welcomed. “Open Balkans” in that context is a good opportunity for deeper cooperation, says Mickoski.

He emphasizes that he does not see the “Open Balkans” as a substitute for the EU, but as an initiative that can help facilitate communication in the region, and leaders should focus on the points that connect us, not those that divide us.

Let’s invest in trust and close contacts to enable the region to develop, to participate in joint infrastructure projects, but also more frequent communication. We need wisdom and reason, not to produce intolerance, but to produce good energy. We ask for respect, but we also give respect. Let us close the infamous chapters of our history and highlight the points of friendship. And here there is huge potential for work. We have to finish that work, it is primarily our task, not of the European Union, Mickoski said.

Regarding the prospects of the countries in the region for EU membership, the leader of VMRO-DPMNE believes that progress should be based on values and merits, but stressed that the Balkans are tired of false hopes and waiting.

Dignity must not be lost in waiting too long. The responsibility for this lies with the Balkan leaders, but also with the European ones. The European Union must show flexibility, and all countries in the Balkans need to demonstrate cooperation in that process. The right of member states to veto states that really deserve progress must not be abused, nor should there be winners and humiliated. Whenever in the Balkans we have turned to the past, we are stuck, now we have to look to the future. Let’s do the opposite from everything we did until now, Mickoski emphasized.

Referring to the Bulgarian veto on the start of the country’s negotiations with the EU, Mickoski said that he does not expect miracles, but that he expects every government in the country to take care of the strategic interests of the country and to respect what was voted by the majority of MPs in the resolution that protects and reflects the Macedonian red lines.

Asked whether VMRO-DPMNE made a wrong assessment with the motion of no confidence in the Government, Mickoski said that it was not a wrong assessment, but a real decision that brought to light “the total weakness of the Government and its governing mechanisms.”

I knew from the beginning that the chances for that are small, especially since every democratic move will be suppressed by pressure, threats and blackmail, but I also wanted to see the entire domestic and international public that we face at home in the country. There is no wrong time for a move that once again exposed the Government. We have shown the capacity to unite many entities that have their differences, but we are uniting in the commitment to change and bring a new future, says Mickoski.

According to him, the failure of the initiative is not a success or failure of anyone, but “only a postponement of the infamous end of the Government that will happen sooner or later.”

Regarding the statement of MP Kastriot Rexhepi that his decision not to support the no-confidence motion against the government is “a result of the conviction he received from US and EU officials that the country will receive a date for negotiations in December and that the dispute with “Bulgaria” would be resolved, Mickoski says that there is no such information, and that so far he has not heard that any of those centers of power have confirmed it.

In short, the real question is not whether, but when this government will fall. At the moment we have a government that has the support of the MPs it provided as a result of the kidnapping. The MP who changed the page mysteriously disappeared, only to appear later, which means that the political crisis is deepening, adds the leader of VMRO-DPMNE.

Regarding the resignation of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Mickoski stressed that not only his resignation was needed, but also the resignation of the entire government, after which “the only reasonable and logical outcome” would be quick elections.

Now we have an unsustainable situation where we have a government without a majority of MPs which is additionally without legitimacy, declassified in the local elections that took place two weeks ago. Elections are a solution to check with the people and what they think about this whole situation. This Government does not have the capacity to deal with the energy crisis that is gaining momentum, as well as with the political crisis that follows. As for Zaev, he is once again fooling the public and once again did not keep his word, and that is, if he loses the local elections, he will leave politics. However, his stay in politics will be a continuation of the crisis and he cannot be crucial in any segment for any good solution for the country, Mickoski said in an interview with Belgrade’s “Politika” daily.