Filipče: The Government Knew the Negotiating Framework Could Not Be Changed, but Manipulated Citizens’ Emotions

According to SDSM leader Venko Filipče, statements by Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski and later by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski that the Second Protocol to the Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation between Macedonia and Bulgaria is not included in the EU Negotiating Framework prove that earlier claims about restoring the country’s name and endangering its identity were part of a fabricated scenario aimed at obstructing the country’s European path.

During a meeting with journalists, Filipče said the government’s earlier claims that the Negotiating Framework would be changed and that it posed a threat to the Macedonian language and identity had been prepared in advance.

“They knew what they were doing. They were playing with people’s emotions and deliberately blocking the European integration process,” Filipče said. He added that the current government had made promises despite being aware that it would be unable to restore the country’s name or change the Negotiating Framework.

Commenting on the government’s demand for guarantees that Bulgaria will not impose further obstacles during EU negotiations, Filipče said such guarantees could not be secured, as no country has ever had them and no one can provide them.

“When Antonio Costa was here, he told us openly that if the constitutional amendments are made and the tasks in the Reform Agenda are fulfilled, no one will be able to stop us in the EU negotiations. As for unreasonable blockades by Bulgaria, of course we would like to have guarantees. But what happens if there are none? How can anyone take away our language when it is recognized?” Filipče said.