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In the framework of its Balkan tour, of 15 of May, the President of the European Council António Costa visited Republic of North Macedonia.
At the joint press conference with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski, António Costa confirmed his strong belief that enlargement is a common goal that EU share. It is the best geostrategic investment in peace, security, and stability that the EU can make.
He also commended the excellent work made by North Macedonia and the government of Mickoski on the reform agenda and the progress already achieved and it is needed to use this opportunity to conclude strategic investments, such as the Corridor 8 and Corridor 10.
“It is now crucial to press ahead with reforms and invest in the rule of law and fight against corruption“, said António Costa. „I would also like to acknowledge your alignment with our Common Foreign and Security Policy and your support for Ukraine. The Security and Defence Partnership we signed last year is a prime example of how North Macedonia and the European Union are already coming closer; concretely increasing collaboration in key areas such as support to Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and counter terrorism”, continued António Costa.
In the same time António Costa underlined that the accession process is more a marathon, than a sprint. It is demanding and also it can be frustrating at times — like it has been for all previous candidates.
According to some media, during the meeting with Mickoski, António Costa called on North Macedonia to change its constitution to include protections for its Bulgarian minority as a way for the country to continue its path toward full European Union membership. European Council Urges Constitutional change for starting EU negotiations. Antonio Costa highlighted that the inclusion of the Bulgarian community in the constitution is a precondition agreed upon to ease historical tensions between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, which have previously delayed membership talks.
Costa emphasized the urgency, while PM Mickoski highlighted the need for reciprocal actions from Bulgaria.
“We are walking along the most difficult of paths,” Mickoski admitted, only to question whether “we are really walking” since, he lamented, “we are in the same spot where we were 20 years ago.”
“We have a problem with Bulgaria, and we want to solve it, but it’s a two-lane road,” he said, arguing that only one side is really working to make progress.
“The integration process should be driven by values and not bilateral negotiations,” concluded Mickoski, arguing that he cannot “amend the Constitution for the umpteenth time knowing that one member state is questioning our national identity.”
Costa offered his support. “This process has taken too long; now is the time for results,” he agreed, stressing that both Macedonia and Bulgaria must implement the contents of the agreement reached in July 2022. That pact called for Macedonia to recognize the Bulgarian minority (which led to the amendment of the Constitution) and for Sofia to lift its veto to Skopje’s accession.
Comments: Despite the very diplomatic language, the President of the Council of the European Union Antonio Costa insists that it is imperative to honour past agreements to propel the EU membership agenda forward.
Two weeks ago, Costa, during the meeting with Bulgarian leaders in Sofia also spoke about EU enlargement and the need to work with different countries, specifically with North Macedonia.
“We rely on the efforts of all countries to overcome the problems, to solve the problems, to address the different issues in the right way and to ensure effective expansion during this institutional cycle, in the next five years,” said Antonio Costa.
