Mickoski: No Constitutional Amendments Under Bulgaria’s Model

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, has stated that the constitutional amendments in their current format will not be approved. He expressed openness to dialogue with all parties, in any place, to reach a sustainable agreement that would pave the way for the strategic objective – full integration into the European Union.

Mickoski added that the executive will continue with the reform agenda and will focus on increasing the quality of life and improving conditions for the population. Referring to Brussels’ expectations, he stressed the necessity of a process based on transparent principles and without selective approaches. The Prime Minister pointed out that just as Skopje has obligations towards the EU, Sofia also has responsibilities to guarantee human rights.

“It is imposed on us to accept what has been agreed, with the justification that we are outside the union and aspiring for membership. However, Bulgaria also has commitments, especially in the field of fundamental rights. There are several judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg regarding the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, concerning the freedom of association and registration of organizations, and these must be implemented,” Mickoski emphasized.

He described as a double-standard policy the situation where, in his perception, Skopje is asked to make additional concessions only because of its status as a candidate country. “This is not a buffet where you take what suits you and leave behind what doesn’t. It’s about principles. If you compromise on principles only when it benefits you, then you lose credibility,” he warned.

Mickoski reconfirmed that the Government’s final objective remains full EU accession, not merely the formal opening of negotiations through shortcuts or provisional solutions. He recalled that North Macedonia has previously made several concessions, such as changing the flag, banknotes, and constitutional name, with the promise that these actions would speed up the European path, but the country has yet to achieve membership. “The rhetoric was always the same: the window of opportunity is open, this is the moment, make this additional step and the process will be completed. But experience shows the opposite. I am simply trying, in my capacity as prime minister, to perceive things more clearly,” concluded Mickoski/INA/.