n the context of constitutional changes and the start of EU accession negotiations, Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski says two aspects are crucial – clear guarantees embedded in the country’s legal system and reciprocity in the human rights’ field.
“The first relates to constitutional changes with delayed effect or guarantees provided by European institutions. Regarding the second, when Bulgaria expects us to include the Bulgarian minority in our constitution, the least it could do is respect the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights on the fundamental human rights of Macedonians living in Bulgaria,” FM Mucunski said in an interview with TV Sitel.
The FM says these positions can lead not only to a rational solution but also one that is sustainable, “because our goal is to definitely find a solution.”
“Nevertheless, our objective is to find a solution that will not put us in the same position after a couple of weeks or months. That is why we are saying that the solution we have on the table, the one that the previous government unfortunately accepted, is unsustainable and one that creates added crisis in our EU integration process. This solution is unacceptable for us at this time,” stressed Mucunski.
Regarding reports on a new approach in EU enlargement that would be presented at the European Council this October, the FM says discussions have gained pace after the release of several non-papers, the one by the French President and German Chancellor prior to the Tivat summit getting the biggest attention.
“The primary goal is to give the enlargement policy a new dimension, since EU institutions and members consider the current one as not being adapted to the time we are living in. That is why the goal is to create a new concept that we hope will be more predictable. And this happens to overlap with the debate on the multiannual budget that the EU is set to adopt in the following period,” said Mucunski.
The FM adds it is important that the model does not give an alternative to full-fledged membership, but the policies focusing on enhanced cooperation with candidates be parallel processes, with the ultimate goal of full-fledged membership.
“The signals we are getting are that the new modeling will go in that direction, with certain benefits provided to candidates during the negotiating process and full-fledged membership as the ultimate objective. However, we are not a member state, and we can only give our own input but not be part of the decision-making process,” Mucunski pointed out.
