“This protracted crisis is holding your country back from your Euro-Atlantic path. It is for you to find a solution based on democratic principles, decency and common sense. Only such a solution can be a lasting one. When you find it, you can count on our support”, said the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, at a joint press conference with his host, President Gjorge Ivanov.
As Tusk said, this is the answer to the letter Ivanov sent to him in March, to Secretary General of Nato, Jens Stoltenberg, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump.
“I came here with a strong message from the EU leaders and institutions: The European Union’s commitment to your European perspective is unequivocal. Working towards EU and NATO memberships has consistently proved a factor of unity. Unity that is so needed in your country today. I therefore hope that you will continue to follow this internal compass and avoid anything that could further fuel tensions, also along ethnic lines”, said Tusk.
At the press conference, Ivanov stressed that his position remains unchanged and that the legal and political obstacles must be removed for him to award the mandate to form the government.
“My decision is a preventive one, so we can avoid possible consequences. A blackmailed government means an unstable government, with a short expiry date”, said Ivanov.
He emphasized that the EU are guarantors for two agreements in the country – the Ohrid Framework Agreement and the Przino Agreement.
“The first item on the agenda for the parties and MPs should be European reforms, not foreign platforms that threaten the independence of the country, disrupt neighbourly relations, encourage tensions and seeks to change the Constitution. Therefore, the Republic of Macedonia needs European reforms on foreign platforms. Only reforms can help us root out this political crisis. However, it is not just our challenge, but also for a good part of the region. Therefore, the EU should find a way to open Chapters 23 and 24 for the judiciary,the law and security”, said Ivanov, adding that to stop the blockade of European processes, the EU should find a way to prevent the blackmail of bilateral issues.
At the meeting, Ivanov and Tusk discussed the migrant crisis, current migrant movements and the tense relations between Turkey and the EU.
Ivanov and Tusk expressed gratitude for the cooperation between Macedonia and the European Union in dealing with the migrant crisis, which will continue in the future.
