Mickoski on European Commission report: Country has made considerable progress, but position on constitutional amendments remains unchanged

Asked by journalists today about the European Commission’s report, North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the government had not changed its position on constitutional amendments.

According to Mickoski, EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas also acknowledged that the country had made progress this year compared with last year’s report. He said Rokas had described the progress as considerable at a press conference yesterday.

The prime minister noted that the period covered by the report does not include reforms carried out since then or those expected to be completed by the end of the year, particularly in the fight against corruption and in the rule of law. He said he expects an even stronger report next year, reflecting the government’s efforts and its ambition to pursue reform.

On constitutional amendments, Mickoski reiterated that the government’s position is clear and unchanged. He attributed the political condition attached to the amendments to what he called the political adventures and anti-state policies of the previous government led by the SDSM and the Democratic Union for Integration.

Mickoski said North Macedonia is perhaps the only example of a country that, alongside the essential reforms it must implement, also faces political conditions.

He added that dialogue with the country’s eastern neighbor is under way and expressed hope that it would produce results. According to Mickoski, this would allow the negotiation process to begin, 21 years after the country received candidate status and 26 years after the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.