North Macedonia's European integration process continues to be conditioned by constitutional changes, while in parallel, on the domestic political scene, clashes between parties over the responsibility and direction the country is taking are deepening. The messages from the European Union are clear that without fulfilling this condition, there can be no real progress in the accession negotiations, while political parties in the country are using the issue for fierce political confrontations.
The European Parliament rapporteur for North Macedonia, Thomas Waitz, reiterated the well-known position of the European Union representatives that constitutional changes are necessary to continue the country's EU membership process. Waitz expressed this position in an interview with the Bulgarian agency BGNES, emphasizing that this condition is not subject to renegotiation.
"Constitutional changes are a condition for starting real accession negotiations. This is a condition related to the European acquis, which is legislation that every country must implement and respect. Respect for minorities and communities is a fundamental element for every country that wants to become a member of the EU. In this sense, this is a very important topic. I see that elections are not expected in North Macedonia next year. I think this gives us the opportunity to see some progress. I hope that we will see progress, because this is a fundamental condition and until these constitutional changes are implemented, unfortunately we cannot start effective accession negotiations. This is very clear. These are the Council conclusions and this is part of the requirements that North Macedonia must meet", Waitz stressed.
He also announced that there is a clear communication with the government of North Macedonia that this condition must be met and that it is not subject to negotiations. According to him, the process of harmonizing the text of the report on North Macedonia, as well as the phase of amendments by deputies, has already begun in the European Parliament.
"I have a limit on the number of words I can include in the first draft. The first draft and its length are determined by the rules here in the European Parliament. Now all members and all shadow rapporteurs are invited to propose their amendments. This negotiation process has just begun and I assume it will continue until May," said Waitz. At the same time, on the domestic political scene, strong clashes between parties over responsibility for political developments and the strategic course of the state have continued. VMRO-DPMNE accuses the previous SDSM government of having moved the country away from democratic standards and brought it closer to authoritarian models of governance.
"The policies of SDSM with Zaev and Filipče caused Macedonia to turn into a hybrid regime, with similar characteristics of governance as those of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko. Serhiy Onyshchenko and Borče Markovski, who are close associates of Putin and Lukashenko, are people to whom the SDSM, Zaev and Filipče government opened the door to come, settle and develop businesses. After a while, one was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while the other is sitting in the dock. Only such criminal figures managed to succeed during the time of SDSM, Zaev and Filipče," Lefkov emphasized. According to him, these policies have caused serious damage to SDSM on the domestic and international levels. The ruling party also continues to accuse SDSM of damaging national interests by changing the name of the state. Following information that former President Kiro Gligorov was offered financial means from Greece to change the name of the country, VMRO-DPMNE raises questions about the role of former SDSM leaders.
"If Kiro Gligorov, as former president, refused 100 million dollars for the name change, then how much did Zoran Zaev and Venko Filipce receive for changing the name of Macedonia? This is the question that arises after this case," VMRO-DPMNE emphasizes.
On the other hand, SDSM has responded to VMRO-DPMNE with a direct message, accusing the ruling party of patriotic rhetoric in opposition and a lack of concrete actions in power.
"You promised the people the return of the name, you promised the people that you would cancel the Prespa Agreement, you are now in power for the second year and you have not taken a single step in that direction," SDSM emphasizes. The Social Democrats warn that VMRO-DPMNE's policies could lead the country towards international isolation and deterioration of relations with strategic partners.
"Continue until the end with the isolation you are pushing the country into. This way, it will be much easier for you to continue with the tenders and conclude the entire process you have started. This way, it will also be easier for you to return Nikola Gruevski, when you are already working in that direction," emphasize the SDSM.
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