site.btaNew North Macedonia PM Wants to Discuss Change in Negotiating Framework for EU Accession with Bulgaria, Expects GERB Government

If there is a desire and political will, the negotiating framework of the Republic of North Macedonia with the European Union can be changed, the country's newly elected Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in his first interview at this position, given to TV 24 on Tuesday. He said he was ready to sit down and find a solution with the new Bulgarian government.

"Our position and arguments are known to the public and we are waiting to see what the arguments are from the other side. Obviously the way things were done so far cannot work. A mistake has been made. When something does not work, a solution must be found. And we are looking for a solution. To find it we need a partner and I look forward to the new Bulgarian government. And I expect it to be [a government of] our EPP sister party of [GERB leader] Boyko Borissov. I also expect that there will be good will and we will sit down to argue our positions, as good neighbours. Or as he [Borissov] would say "states of two brotherly nations". I am ready to sit down and find out what was the reason for this demand (for the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution), what are the potential risks in the future," said Mickoski, who argued that North Macedonia has done a lot for European values but has received nothing. 

According to him, unanimity in EU decision-making can be circumvented as "only in the last months two or three decisions have been taken without unanimity".  

"So if you want a solution to be found, it can be found. I am prepared. You want changes in the Constitution?  Why? Who is violating the rights of the Bulgarian community in [North] Macedonia? And that may be so. Who is the responsible institution in Europe to say that this is so - the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.  How many convictions has [North] Macedonia had there? The verdicts are 14 for Bulgaria against zero [for North Macedonia)] The Macedonian community there [in Bulgaria] does not want to be part of the Constitution, it wants to register an NGO. So, they cannot register an NGO there, but those here [the Bulgarians in North Macedonia] have whatever they want," said Mickoski.

According to him, "all the nations in the world" can be included in the Constitution of North Macedonia, but he expects a foresight of the process of European integration before the country enters it.

"In six months we will be told "Whose is Gotse Delchev", "Is the Ilinden uprising Preobrazhensko or Ilinden". There is a Bulgarian town named Gotse Delchev. If you ask the Bulgarians, Gotse Delchev is not even among the 50 greatest heroes, but for us he is number one. How in Bulgaria they will consider historical truths is their problem. I will still say that I will support the treaty (on friendship and good neighbourliness with Bulgaria) for everything that is useful. Let the Historical Commission do its work, but it cannot be a process with an end. Germany and France are still negotiating and [North Macedonia's Foreign Minister] Bujar Osmani signed that by the end of the negotiations they should come to an agreement," Mickoski noted.

He said that when there is a political government in Bulgaria, he is ready to offer "at least three creative solutions for an exit from this process". Mickoski added that the guarantees he insists for should be given by Bulgaria with the mediation of the EU, and if the EU is willing to see North Macedonia as its member "it should be honest" with the conditions for the accession.  

"Having the political will is the essence. If we have political will and the right reading of things, anything can happen," North Macedonia's Prime Minister said.