Prime Minister Zoran Zaev once again urged EU member countries to set a date for starting accession talks with North Macedonia, this time in an interview with Belgian daily Le Soir.

In the interview, Zaev explains that if no date is given to the country, he could be blamed by lawmakers that he lied when assuring them a vote for the Prespa Agreement would open the doors to the EU.

I said that if we change the name, if we maintain good relations with Greece and Bulgaria, if we implement all reforms, Europe will fulfill its promises. If this isn’t the case, of course, I’ll take personal responsibility. I won’t wait for the opposition or the Parliament to do it, but I will take responsibility and step down from office, Zaev tells Le Soir.

He warns that if the EU does not deliver on its promise, the people could turn towards nationalist currents within the country.

The risk is that nationalism and radicalism could return to our country. We went through this risk in the last eleven years. We had a ‘hybrid’ regime that destroyed all democratic rights and freedoms, all foundations of a normal country, and the risk is those times could come back, the Prime Minister said.

Asked why the EU should care about this as it concerns the country’s internal affairs, the prime minister says that the EU and Macedonia are connected both on a personal and economic level and that it is a matter of mutual interests.

We don’t expect to become a member country immediately, but we have to continue our EU integration process. After being blocked for 15 years, being given a date is nothing dramatic! It just means we accept the obligation to adjust our legislature, and prepare our institutions and country, for a membership date, maybe in 2025 or 2030, no one knows. We’re partners, and this is about mutual interests, Zaev says.

Regarding his nomination for the Nobel Prize together with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras for the Prespa Agreement, Zaev tells Le Soir that an EU date matters more to him.

I would give two Nobel prizes for that decision from the European Council. It’s a tremendous honor to be nominated. We’re a small country. But our award is the affirmation of our work, and the only award that matters at this point is the European Council’s decision. That’s the best prize. If I get a Nobel prize, I will give it to the European Council, Zoran Zaev says.