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Gir: The constitutional changes are an issue that the new government will have to resolve

by AI | 07.Jun 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Part of that agreement was that there would be changes to the Constitution to include people who identify as Bulgarians under the protection of the Constitution itself. That has not changed, the situation is still the same. So, it will be an issue that the new Government will have to resolve directly, said Geer.

The Ambassador of the European Union in North Macedonia, David Geer Photo: MIA

Skopje – I don’t think the situation has drastically changed from before the elections to after them, said Euro-Ambassador David Geer, in tonight’s guest appearance on Telma’s Top Tema, in response to the question about the constitutional amendments necessary for continuing the accession process.

He added that after nearly “two years of arduous negotiations with Bulgaria, an agreement was reached which unblocked the country’s Euro-integration process, but also with which the country took on certain obligations.”

– Part of that agreement was that there would be changes to the Constitution to include people who identify as Bulgarians under the protections of the Constitution itself. That hasn’t changed; the situation is still the same. So, it will be an issue for the new Government to resolve directly, said Geer. 

According to him, the new government might use the option to discuss with Bulgaria. – But, I have always said that we have an agreement that was reached with great difficulty, and it is hard for me to imagine that it would be possible to find a better agreement, and I don’t see any possibility for changes in the Negotiating Framework, highlighted Geer.

The Euro-Ambassador conveyed that the government must get involved and think about how it will proceed on this issue, focusing on the key goal, which is for this country to decisively move towards the EU.

– That is the best way, not only to secure its prosperity, democratic environment, but also to strengthen its identity, something we have seen with many other member countries, who in the process of joining had to make difficult decisions. I think the question now is to move forward on this issue and focus on the reforms and steps that need to be taken to ensure that this country can really enjoy the benefits of EU membership as quickly as possible, added Geer.

He emphasized that all of this is happening because of the current momentum for enlargement that exists in the Union, and the actions of the Commission itself and the 27 member countries confirm this fact. Geer assesses that the country is capable of quickly implementing the necessary reforms and joining the Union, but for that, absolute political determination is needed.

According to Geer, the Western Balkans Growth Plan should be seen as an incentive for those who want to advance on the path to the EU. – But, it is not necessary to implement reforms in North Macedonia, he said.

The purpose of that plan, Geer says, is to improve the living standards of citizens and to get closer to the standards in the Union, which can be achieved in several ways, but above all, by gaining access to certain parts of the EU’s common market. (June 6)