site.btaSwedish Ambassador to North Macedonia: Constitutional Changes Are Key EU Step

Sweden’s Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia, Ami Larsson Jain, said in an interview with the “360 Degrees” programme on MRT 1 on Friday that constitutional changes are clearly the next step in North Macedonia's EU integration process.

She noted that, for now, the fate of the reforms rests with Skopje until the changes are adopted, after which further progress will depend on the European Union and its member states.

We are well aware of the concerns on the Macedonian side about what lies ahead. We say: help us to help you, because we really want to, Larsson Jain said. Until the constitutional changes are adopted, the ball remains in Skopje’s court. Once they are accepted, it will be up to us, the European Union, its member states and the institutions. After that, we must ensure that the formal start of negotiations takes place. Of course, if there is a mechanism for building trust, such a solution is welcome. But at this stage, the ball is in Skopje’s court. What we want to see, of course, is progress. We strongly support enlargement and we support this country in its clearly stated goal – EU membership, Larsson Jain said in the interview.

In response to a question about concerns in North Macedonia regarding new demands from the Bulgarian side related to the work of the joint multidisciplinary committee on historical and educational issues, Larsson Jain explained that, while she is not familiar with the committee’s work, it is important that both countries hold discussions “as good neighbours”.

Part of good neighbourly relations is being able to sit down and talk in good faith. That is important for us. The conversation itself and meetings are a European value. History always has different versions and I can tell you that we in Scandinavia have had similar problems. It is not unusual to have different versions of history, but to sit down and talk is a European value, Larsson Jain said.

She added that there is “strong energy” for enlargement within the EU, stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has given “clear guidance” to the commissioners to prepare EU institutions for enlargement.

Sometimes I get the feeling that Macedonians are left with the impression that constitutional changes are all that is needed for EU membership, but that is not the case, Larsson Jain added, reminding that fundamental issues in EU negotiations also include the rule of law, democracy, human rights and fighting corruption.

The reform agenda is the country’s answer to the EU plan. That is an agenda formulated by the government. We are close to the moment when the country’s progress can be measured. We know the start was good and the programme is ambitious. North Macedonia received recognition from Brussels and that is positive. Now we want to see the plan for reforms implemented quickly and energetically, Larsson Jain said.