Macedonia’s greatest wish is for its path to the European Union and full-fledged membership to be based on merit, and not burdened by history or the past, Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said at a joint press conference Thursday following the Corridor VIII ministerial meeting in Sofia, in answer to a journalist’s question over the expectations from the meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Velislava Petrova-Chamova.
Mucunski stresses that Macedonia is fully aligned with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union and that, based on past experience and results, “has proven itself to be an excellent candidate country”.
The Foreign Minister said the country expects its achievements and results to be the basis of the EU’s assessment of the country when the Union is ready to decide on its membership.
The FM notes that enlargement has always been a political decision made by member states through consensus, noting that the country will continue to work responsibly and proactively on finding solutions.
“We will do our part. We will be responsible, we will be proactive in finding solutions to the issues. But the solution never exclusively depends just on us,” Mucunski said.
He adds the country will continue to be guided by good will and respect for international law in its relations with neighboring countries and EU member states.
“In all our relations with our neighbors and with all member states of the European Union, we will always act on the basis of good will and respect for international public law,” the Macedonian FM said.
FM Mucunski at meeting with Bulgarian counterpart: Issues of identity, history, culture must not be an obstacle to EU path
