Talking to Euronews EU Correspondent Sasha Vakulina, North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski reflected on the path of North Macedonia in joining the EU.
• Stuck in the process
Mickoski said North Macedonia’s EU bid has barely advanced in a quarter of a century: “Unfortunately, we are in the same place where we were 25 years. Due to some artificial reasons. Not because of the Copenhagen criteria, not because of fulfilling some objectives, but because of some artificial disputes. Such are our national flag, our national name, our country name, change of constitution this, change of Constitution that.”
• ‘Bullied’ by Bulgaria with ‘artificial disputes’
The Prime Minister criticised Sofia’s conditions for North Macedonia’s accession, saying they amount to political pressure and unfair treatment.
“They are in, we are out, this is a bit of bullying, okay? We would like to see ourselves at the table in Brussels and what is now the price and whether this is the last price that we should pay.”
He warned that the current approach undermines the EU’s founding principles:
“If somebody dares to bully someone else who wants to join the club, why the other should be silent? This is not normal… probably this will occur in the future again and again because it works.”
Mickoski called on Brussels to reflect on whether the unanimity rule and member state vetoes still align with “the principles and values” envisioned by Europe’s founders
• Lack of reciprocity with Bulgaria
He questioned why the EU expects unilateral concessions from Skopje while turning a blind eye to the situation of Macedonians in Bulgaria.
“Why we should change our constitution then? Why we are not talking about Macedonian community in Bulgaria? What about their human rights? They are not allowed to register non-governmental organisation. We’re not talking change of Bulgarian constitution. We’re talking about a sort of reciprocity.”
Mickoski argued that the imbalance undermines the EU’s own principles of fairness and equality between candidate and member states.
• ‘The future is in the EU’ despite ‘humiliations’
Despite the tensions and delays, Mickoski reaffirmed that North Macedonia joining the EU is a strategic choice:
“We do believe that our future is in the European Union. And we do believe that integration of Western Balkans in EU means added value for EU itself.”
He insisted that the country continues to share the Union’s founding ideals:
“Despite all those humiliations and disappointments and despite the current frustration which is inside of our citizens, we do share the same values.”
• Growing frustrations among the citizens
The Prime Minister said that ordinary Macedonians are growing disillusioned and confused by the lack of progress, questioning what the EU truly stands for today.
“Citizens of my country are full of frustration, are asking me, okay, Prime Minister, what is it now? If we do this, this will be the last one, or probably there will be some additional in the future?”
Read the full article here