“We want and are working to unblock the process for Northern Macedonia and Albania. I am not sure what will happen at the next European Council, but we will do everything we can to take decisive steps. In Skopje, we have not seen the French proposal to resolve our dispute with Bulgaria. We are talking with our Bulgarian colleagues in the framework of the dialogue that has been going on for months, “said at a press conference with the President of the Republic of Northern Macedonia EU President Charles Michel President Stevo Pendarovski, who declined to comment on what is happening in Sofia.
According to him, there is political will for the inclusion of the Bulgarians in Northern Macedonia in the preamble of the constitution, but it is technically impossible to realize it in less than three months. However, the political aspect of the question is whether this will be the last request from Bulgaria.
“It is very frivolous if we embark on such an undertaking as changing the Constitution, which has three phases and lasts at least three months, in which we must convince our citizens why we are doing it and that it will not harm anyone. from them, to come up with some new demands from the current or future Bulgarian government, “Pendarovski said, BTA reports. He said that he was looking for strong political guarantees not only from Bulgaria, but also from the EU, that this would be the last request from Bulgaria.
Pendarovski praised Charles Michel’s visit during the “turbulent period for Europe and the world” and just days before the EU summit in June as proof of the need to coordinate steps between the Balkans and the EU due to the need for decisive and principled decisions.
“The Republic of Northern Macedonia and Albania must start negotiations with the EU as soon as possible, which is important not only for the two countries but for the region as a whole, especially in the context of new geopolitical developments. This is a top priority and we support all efforts. I am really committed to France and the EU to help move this process forward, and I am convinced that very soon we will have a positive development, which will certainly be very important for your country and for the whole region, “said Charles Michel.
He announced that he would hold a meeting of the 27 member states and the countries of the Western Balkans next week.
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