The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, stated categorically that while he leads the government and is at the head of VMRO-DPMNE, constitutional changes will not be implemented without clear guarantees from the European Union. The statement was made at his annual closing press conference, quoted by BGNES.
"Yes, there will be no political will for constitutional changes while I am Prime Minister and Chairman of VMRO-DPMNE. Without our party, there is no way these changes can be implemented - this should be clear to everyone," Mickoski said.
He reiterated his position that the constitutional changes required by the Negotiating Framework for the country to start EU membership negotiations are impossible without guarantees for an end to bilateral problems in the accession process.
"I expect the Macedonian dossier to finally be recognized in Brussels and for us to make a clear plan for finalizing the process. I don't want just declarations and pats on the back - a concrete guarantee is needed that bilateral issues will no longer be an obstacle," he said.
Mickoski stressed that North Macedonia has remained stagnant for the past 20 years due to a lack of political will both in the country and in the EU. He added that the decision must be mutual and expressed readiness for dialogue with Brussels, but insisted on clarity and concrete steps.
When asked about the EU's insistence on constitutional changes, as well as the statement by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Afrim Gashi, that this requires political will, Mickoski reiterated that until guarantees are provided by the EU, there will be no changes.
"I am not an adventurer. Every decision I make must lead to a final result, not just to the beginning of a process. When Brussels is ready to talk about the end of this process, then I will be ready," the Prime Minister concluded.
Mickoski described Mickoski's statement as realistic, acknowledging that without the support of VMRO-DPMNE, constitutional changes are impossible.