site.btaNorth Macedonia FM Mucunski Says It Would Be Mistake to Set Deadlines for Constitutional Changes With Delayed Action

There will be a solution for unblocking North Macedonia's European integration because the EU cannot afford to further delay its enlargement into the Western Balkan countries, said Timco Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia. In an interview on MRT1 TV, Mucunski said that the presentation of the proposal of the government in North Macedonia for constitutional amendments with deferred action, does not mean that a quick solution will be found, but it is "a principled position that protects national interests".

"When we presented our position for constitutional amendments with delayed implementation, we did not promise that a solution would be found overnight, but we say that we have a principled position and we argue it before the international community, the member states and the European institutions", he said. "With this approach, we are defending the national interest so that we do not find ourselves, as in the past, in a situation with an unexpected veto. At the same time, we are protecting the medium- and long-term credibility of the European Union", Mucunski added. According to him, many of the EU officials he has met believe that the approach of the government in Skopje is "logical, correct and relevant, but it is an approach that requires acceptance by Bulgaria as well".

In his words, it would be a mistake if the North Macedonian government set itself a deadline to try to achieve constitutional changes with delayed action, "without any form of legal and political guarantees".

"The foundation of the European Union, its value system, is based on a culture of compromise and from this point of view I would say that in the vast majority of member states there is also an atmosphere for compromise", he stressed, adding that it would be inappropriate at the moment to speak on behalf of other countries. "I cannot list for you which are the [EU] member states from which have a positive attitude towards this approach (for delayed constitutional changes), but it is a fact that there are," Mucunski stressed.

Asked why in his presentation to the EP Foreign Affairs Committee he did not specifically mention the proposal for constitutional changes with deferred action, but used "general formulations for dialogue with Bulgaria", Mucunski replied that the decision was not up to the European Parliament, but rather up to the European Council, the European Commission and the member states. He added that Skopje's position was unambiguous and that his government is ready to reach a compromise with Bulgaria, provided it would give certainty.

He expressed his conviction that "there is an open commitment from several member states and leaders of several member states aimed at finding a principled solution to this dispute, which is obviously based on a bilateral challenge between the two countries" North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

If North Macedonia does not set itself deadlines but focuses on real reforms, it will be one of the countries "that will move fastest towards full membership", he said. "If we really focus on European reforms, proactively and with concrete measures, it will be difficult for any country to block us in the long term", he added.