The Brussels outcome really came as a shock to everyone, not just to me and the people, but the whole political elite, President Stevo Pendarovski said in an interview with Greek Alpha TV.

He added that at Sunday’s leadership meeting, all parties, whether from the government or the opposition, shared the same sentiments and attitudes: “We delivered everything we were asked and suddenly the European Union tells us we are not ready yet,” MIA correspondent reported from Athens.

Since 2009 all the European Commission reports and then all the EU communiqués have said that there is only one unresolved issue, the longstanding name dispute between us and your country. We have resolved this with the Prespa Agreement and suddenly the European Union tells us we are not ready, because we need to make some internal reforms before that. It was neither sincere nor fair to all who are deeply involved in the process. All this, Prespa Agreement, all reforms, but Prespa is in the first place because of Europe. We want to be part of the European Union. And suddenly we don’t see the European Union anywhere. There is no European Union anywhere, Pendarovski says, MIA reports.

President Pendarovski explains that what will be put on hold until the accession negotiations with the EU begin is the part regarding internal and external correspondence and the use of the new name.

He also pointed out that in a few months the country will join NATO, thanks to the Prespa Agreement.