site.btaNorth Macedonia PM Kovachevski Does Not Expect New Conditions on Path to EU Accession

In a MIA News Agency interview North Macedonia's Prime Ministers Dimitar Kovachevski said that he does not expect new conditions beyond the adopted negotiating framework for North Macedonia's accession to the EU.

Constitutional changes are set forth in the negotiating framework to enter Bulgarians in the constitution of North Macedonia as a condition for holding the second intergovernmental conference which will mean in effect the beginning of the EU membership negotiations.

Of possible new blockades to North Macedonia's accession of the EU on behalf of Bulgaria even if the constitutional changes are adopted, Kovachevski said that any further conditions will be tied to reforms.

With European policy and responsibility, the two countries can have European relations, said Kovachevski.

The Macedonian Prime Minister said that the international community has made it clear that there won't be new conditions. EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell believes that there are no obstacles to North Macedonia's EU accession and that bilateral issues won't define the process of accession.

Bulgaria has repeated that several times. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova and the Bulgaria Foreign Ministry have clearly said that there are no new conditions. The expectations are that the negotiating framework will be implemented, said Kovachevski.

A parliamentary sitting on constitutional changes is scheduled for August 18 and Prime Minister Kovachevski expects a sincere and fruitful parliamentary debate.

Kovachevski underscored that a national and public consensus is needed to accomplish this strategic goal and for North Macedonia to become an EU member.