President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova participated today in Brussels in the European Union Enlargement Summit, organized by Euronews.
Siljanovska-Davkova recalled the 1992 opinion of the Badinter Commission, which established that Slovenia and Macedonia met the criteria for international recognition, specifically regarding their constitutional arrangements and the protection of human and minority rights.
According to her, the fact that more than three decades later one country is a member of the European Union while the other is still waiting for its European perspective, points to a lack of political will on the part of certain neighbors.
Addressing the issue of constitutional amendments, the President noted that in 2018, through the Prespa Agreement, the country changed its constitutional name – a step presented to the citizens as the final obstacle on the path toward the European integration.
She said that a renewed demand to amend the Constitution, which has already been changed 36 times, mostly under pressure from the outside, cannot be guaranteed, as the decision rests with the Assembly, while its legitimacy derives from the citizens.
For Siljanovska-Davkova, the European Union is not merely a political and bureaucratic machine, but a community of values and principles. Citing provisions from the EU’s founding documents that pertain to the respect for national and cultural identity, she stated that diversity is one of the fundamental values of European unity.
Building on the remarks of the previous speaker, Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic, she noted that the Macedonian state expects to be treated equally to other candidate countries, based on the application of the same rules and standards.
She expects equal participation in the preparatory activities for accession negotiations, as well as the opportunity to make progress based on the fulfillment of established conditions.
The President also addressed the need for a substantive dialogue between the European Union and the candidate countries, a dialogue in which both sides would have the opportunity to present their arguments.
In her view, political will cannot be expected solely from the candidate countries; it must also be demonstrated by the Union itself, particularly in finding creative solutions to overcome the long-standing stalemate.
Siljanovska-Davkova sees gradual integration as a way to move the process forward through access to the Single Market, participation in comitology mechanisms, digitalization and other European policy areas.
The President emphasized that the country is fully aligned with the European Union’s foreign and security policy and, as a credible NATO member, maintains a clear Euro-Atlantic orientation.
Regarding reforms, she assessed that there is potential for progress in the rule of law, judiciary and fight against corruption; however, their implementation requires internal political will, as well as encouragement from the European Union.
Addressing relations with Bulgaria, Siljanovska-Davkova recalled her previous meetings with Bulgarian presidents and government officials, noting that she would continue to advocate for dialogue.
The summit focused on the next phase of enlargement, the progress of candidate countries and their reforms, as well as on the institutional challenges facing aspiring countries and the European Union.
