site.btaEuropean Concern over Skopje’s Abstention on EU Resolution on Ukraine at the UN

"EU Angry at Mickoski, Wants Him to Follow Through on His Words," "Brussels’ Message to North Macedonia: Actions Speak Louder Than Words," and "Rokas on Behalf of the Union: Adhere to EU Principles" - these are some of the headlines in North Macedonian media Thursday following a meeting of the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee, which took place in Skopje.

The decision of the North Macedonia government to co-sponsor the US resolution on Ukraine at the UN - alongside Hungary, Israel, and Georgia - instead of supporting the EU resolution continues to stir debate here. In the end, the country abstained from voting on both resolutions, keeping media attention on the issue for the third consecutive day. During Thursday's parliamentary session, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski once again had to answer questions about how and why this decision was made. According to opposition leader Venko Filipce, the government is conducting foreign policy "without a compass, impulsively, and outside clearly established strategic priorities."

In his capacity as representative of the country holding the EU Presidency, Polish Ambassador in Skopje Mariusz Brimora stated during the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting that "words speak louder than actions," according to the Nezavisen newspaper.

"We share a common destiny with you and face common challenges. Together, we can overcome them. From this perspective, I would like to emphasize that it is extremely important to remain committed to fundamental European values and principles, and that the recent voting on the UN resolutions has caused significant concern among the majority of EU ambassadors here," Nezavisen quoted Brimora as saying.

A similar stance was taken by Greek MEP Kostas Arvanitis, who said that Hungary is not a good example to follow - hinting at the close ties between the Skopje government and Budapest, and noting that Hungary was the only EU member state to vote against the European position on the UN resolution for Ukraine. However, he also expressed understanding that continuously imposing new conditions for North Macedonia's EU integration is unacceptable. He stressed that "we must adhere to what we recently agreed on (constitutional changes) and stand firm on our position," Nezavisen reported.

"I want to emphasize that it is important for North Macedonia to uphold the fundamental values and principles of the European Union and to actively demonstrate this in multinational forums, including within the UN. This will confirm the country's geostrategic commitment to its European path," TV 21 quoted the EU Ambassador to Skopje, Michalis Rokas, as saying.

TV Telma reported that Rokas reminded North Macedonia of its commitments - namely, constitutional changes - to open the first phase of EU accession talks. Meanwhile, Karlo Ressler, co-chair of the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee from the European Parliament, emphasized the importance of good neighborly relations and dialogue as key components of the accession process.

"I want to highlight how crucial dialogue is at all levels, and today’s meeting serves as an example—among political parties, between different ethnic communities within the country, with neighbors, and with European partners—especially on issues of common interest that shape our shared European future," TV Telma quoted Ressler as saying.

According to an official statement from the North Macedonian Parliament, members of the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee met with coordinators from the six parliamentary groups in the country's parliament. The session continues on Friday.