Skopje – Our international partners, primarily from NATO and the European Union, are satisfied with the first few weeks of the new Macedonian government and its sincere commitments to implementing serious internal reforms, recognizing its capacity to be a factor of stability in the region, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mutsunski.
– In terms of our international positions, I would say that the fact that the government will remain one hundred percent aligned with the common foreign and security policy of the European Union, and will remain a principled supporter of Ukraine, is of great significance, as in the NATO part, that aspect of security is one of the key issues, emphasized Mutsunski in an interview for the newspaper “Vecher”.
Regarding Greece’s announcements of possessing a “secret weapon” in case of non-compliance with the Prespa Agreement, Mutsunski said that it is necessary for neighbors to be united in common goals, and for politicians to be pacifists who use conventional diplomatic tools.
– I don’t even want to think about using the word “weapon” at a time when there is war in the world and people are dying. We need to be united towards common goals, with Athens and Sofia, as well as all other countries in the narrower and wider region. I believe that there are many more issues that can unite us than issues that should divide us, emphasized Mutsunski, adding that open political issues should be resolved with mutual respect and dialogue.
According to him, the government has a proactive approach to bringing the country closer to the European Union, where membership must be based on objective and measurable factors, not on bilateral and political issues.
– For us as a government now, it would have been easiest to say: “Our position is against, we believe that this is not based on “merit” (criteria), we are withdrawing, and if the EU wants, let them accept us”. But no, we are proactive, we offer a solution. I am always an optimist and I always think that, at least in the contemporary context in which we operate, which is much more dynamic and different from diplomatic activity 10, 20, 30 years ago, if you are honest, open, and offer a logical approach, that, combined with the geostrategic interest, can bear fruit, concluded Minister Mutsunski. (August 2)