Mickoski: The government will never give up on EU membership, but it will not do anything that is contrary to national interests

Skopje – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski today at a press conference in the Government, where he gave an account of the first hundred days of the new executive power, also referred to the separation of Albania from our country in the European integration process, noting that on this issue the two important positions are that the Government will never give up full membership in the EU, but it will also never do anything that goes against the national interests and strategic commitments of the citizens.

– I assure the Macedonian public of two things. First, to believe that this Government will not do anything against the interests of the citizens, against the national interests and strategic directions of the citizens. It will never make any concession that will mean additional humiliation and shame for the Macedonian citizens, regardless of whether they are Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Serbs, Vlachs, Roma, Bosniaks, or others. The second thing, my second message is that as a Government we will never give up our second strategic goal, and that is full EU membership, and if necessary, we will talk to anyone, and if necessary, we will talk as long as it takes to reach an agreement and compromise that is dignified, that will not hurt the feelings of the Macedonian people again, nor of the others who live together with them, Mickoski said.

He believes that both strategic goals can be realized and that they are not in conflict with each other. As for the specific actions to be taken to continue the path of European integration, Mickoski answered that the focus remains on the EU, on the work at home, on the internal reforms, but without additional humiliations and concessions. 

– We are not alone, we have many friends, many friends who are part of the European family. We continue to build friendships that are part of the European family. If you think we need to polish the shoes of some of the politicians and member states of the EU and that this is the way and the right path, forgive me, I am not a good interlocutor. One can only talk to me based on arguments, said Mickoski.

Regarding Bulgaria’s rejection of the mediation offered by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to bring the positions of Skopje-Sofia closer, Mickoski said he regrets that the neighboring country has such a position but expressed readiness for further talks. – We need to talk, negotiate, until a solution is reached and that is exactly what my personal friend and friend of Macedonia, Mr. Viktor Orban, offered, Mickoski emphasized in response to journalists’ questions. (1 October)