Panovska: While other candidates move forward, North Macedonia is being held back by politics blocking its path to the EU

Fani Karanfilova Panovska, deputy leader of the SDSM, said that instead of the promised improvement in its negotiating position, North Macedonia is facing a less favorable situation and is being steered toward bilateral talks with Bulgaria. According to her, delays and obstruction of the European process are pushing EU membership further and further away.

“The longer we delay the process, the weaker North Macedonia’s position will be. That has already happened. Ursula von der Leyen sent Mickoski into bilateral negotiations with Bulgaria,” Karanfilova Panovska said.

She said that bypassing the negotiating framework, approved by the EU’s 27 member states, is turning the integration process into a bilateral issue.

Karanfilova Panovska recalled the promises made before coming to power, including restoring the name, terminating the Prespa Agreement and securing better negotiating conditions.

“They called us traitors. They said they would restore the name, promised to terminate the Prespa Agreement and secure better negotiating positions. But what happened? They came to power and, gradually but surely, the Prespa Agreement became a masterpiece of diplomacy for them. For Mucunski, NATO membership is a major thing for the business sector. President Siljanovska also confirms that the Prespa Agreement guarantees both our Macedonian identity and the Macedonian language,” she said.

The SDSM says that while other candidate countries are advancing in their accession negotiations and opening clusters, North Macedonia risks being left without a roadmap for continuing its path toward Europe.

According to Panovska, continued obstruction will have serious consequences for the country’s future, encouraging young people and businesses to leave and deepening citizens’ impoverishment.