site.btaParliamentary Committee in Skopje Seconds Proposed Constitutional Changes

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the Parliament in the Republic of North Macedonia Tuesday approved proposed constitutional changes. They adopted two conclusions: for starting a procedure for constitutional changes and for drafting the constitutional amendments if the need for a revision is adopted at the plenary session scheduled for August 18. the MIA news agency reported. The conclusions were adopted by ten 'yes' and seven 'no' votes.

The proposed changes will add Bulgarians to the Constitution of the country to ensure better protection of their rights. This step will open the door the start of Skopje's accession talks with the EU.

Earlier in the day Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski reasoned the government's proposal before the committee. All party representatives presented their positions. The opposition VMRO-DPMNE party remains determined not to back the constitutional amendments, as are two Left deputies.

Attending the committee meeting were also Justice Minister Krenar Lloga,  Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and of Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions in Skopje.

The proposed constitutional changes include parts of more nations in the Preamble and Articles 49 and 78 of the Constitution when they list the parts of nations in the country, reports the MIA news agency. As regards to the wording: "The citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Macedonian people, as well as citizens living within its borders who are part of the Albanian people, the Turkish people, the Vlach people, the Serbian people, the Romany people, the Bosniak people and others", a comma is placed after "the Bosniak people" and the following is added: the Bulgarian people, the Croatian people, the Montenegrin people, the Slovenian people, the Jewish people and the Balkan Egyptian people". Consequently, a change is also made in the Committee on Community Relations regarding the parity of Parliament representatives from all communities listed in the Constitution Preamble.