Escalation of tension in the fourth day of protests in Skopje. The reason for the demonstration is the French proposal to settle the dispute between North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE PROTEST HERE
A large group of protesters chanting “Resign”, “Never North, Only Macedonia” and “Bugar Osmani” crossed the Vardar River Bridge and proceeded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. There they threw pirates, eggs and bottles at her. As a result, the glass of the door of the building was broken. The procession then proceeded to Parliament.
The protesters threw smoke and tear gas at the building, as well as at the police officers around it. Young people managed to break down the metal fences and stood in front of the police cordon with shields. Law enforcement gathered outside the door of the parliament and managed to push the group back, forming a tight line in front of the building.
Kovachevski: Parliament will decide on the French proposal
Stones, trash cans, road signs and even a spear were thrown at the police. The cordon managed to push and separate the group into the street in front of Parliament and then through it. At least 7 policemen were injured and taken by their colleagues outside the cordon. There are also several arrests.
A short time later, the parliament was completely surrounded by police, and the protesters were divided into two groups and pushed towards the park and the “Macedonia” gate opposite the parliament building.
On the streets of Skopje there are armored vehicles, special forces of the police, as well as military.
Earlier today, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, arrived in Skopje to participate in a meeting of the Macedonian government. Dissatisfied with the French proposal, they met the deputies in the parliament with a tent camp.
“You want us to hate you. This is what you want to do. Let us live, we are Macedonians and nothing else,” one of the protesters told NOVA.
“I respect you. You are Bulgarian, I am Macedonian. I don’t negotiate with anyone about it. Your whole story is fake. Everything in your history books and textbooks is a lie. What Bulgaria is doing only divides us, nothing more. It’s sad,” commented another protester.
For the fourth day now, Macedonians have taken to the square to say “no” to the European document for starting negotiations.
“The Macedonian people gathered yesterday and sent a clear position to the authorities. They are elected by the people to serve them. While serving the people, they must listen to their voice. And they will reject the proposal,” said a protester.
Orthodox priest asking the police to release the young arrested people. #Skopje #Protest pic.twitter.com/9uRYsI2BWK
— Martin Koloski (@koloski_) July 5, 2022
Due to the escalation of tensions in our western neighbor, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, came to visit the country in recent days.
“Let me tell you honestly, as a friend, you have a historic opportunity. You have never been so close, you have a historic chance to say yes to start negotiations. To say yes to our children,” he said.
Charles Michel visiting Skopje
Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski announced that the parliament will decide whether the Republic of North Macedonia will start negotiations for membership in the European Union.
“The bilateral protocol with the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as all the documents that have been given so far, and some more that are yet to be given, will be sent to the National Assembly of the RSM. Representatives of all political parties are gathered in the parliament. The task of the National Assembly is to decide whether we will be able to start the negotiations and how to start them. The deputies must give the decision to the government”, he pointed out.
the police broke up the #protest#skopje pic.twitter.com/yoJG4BXTPT
— Martin Koloski (@koloski_) July 5, 2022
According to him, this could happen when the political consultations are over.
Escalation of protests in Skopje against the French proposal
Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that if North Macedonia does not like and rejects the French proposal, Albania will be allowed to continue its path to EU membership on its own.
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