site.btaNorth Macedonia’s PM: No Unconditional Constitutional Changes without Guarantees from Bulgaria and EU

In an interview on Kanal 5 Thursday, North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said no one has the right to expect that this government will unconditionally make changes to the country’s constitution. Skopje is expected to make the changes in order to include Bulgarians in the Constitution as a prerequisite for start of EU accession talks.  

Mickoski said his conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who visited Skopje October 15 as part of a Balkan tour, was friendly and that they discussed many topics. He pointed out that “no one lives under illusions” and is well aware that constitutional changes - specifically the inclusion of Bulgarians in the country’s basic law - are a condition for opening negotiation chapters. However, as long as he is Prime Minister, “constitutional changes will not happen without clear fulfillment of the obligations of the eastern neighbor [Bulgaria], as well as concrete guarantees from the European Union.”

“No one has the right, nor is it fair, to expect that this government will unconditionally do this, nor does the government intend to do so while I am Prime Minister. This must be clear - I have said it many times - we demand consistent respect for international law, and our eastern neighbor also has obligations. We also want guarantees. And if the EU really wants to see North Macedonia in its company, it will do at least a little of what it does for some other countries. That is a clear position,” Mickoski stated, adding that “in the interest of the processes to come,” he does not wish to discuss details.

After her several-hour visit to Skopje, where she met with the President, Parliament leader, and Prime Minister, EC President von der Leyen did not hold a press conference but posted on X about the visit. She wrote: "We remain fully behind North Macedonia on its EU path. You can count on us. The next and only step before the opening of the negotiations is clear. You need to make the agreed constitutional change. The ball is in your court."