We must not forget the citizens. We are temporary, we’re not perfect. Politics is in major crisis now because it mainly deals with who, how and when they will win. The citizens are the source of our legitimacy and they bear sovereignty, Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said in an interview with the MIA news agency.
Regarding the question of how the government will prevent citizens from losing faith in the European perspective, she says that “we need to encourage them that the European principles and values, those that are outlined and which are not respected in the constituent acts, are also Macedonian principles and values, that we can function in the same way here.”
The President emphasizes that we must not behave in a submissive way abroad – as a small country, a small president, that we must be obedient.
“One must present national interests, positions and defend them. That will be the attitude towards you, of course, if you deserve that attitude and if you are equal with them in the conversation,” the president adds.
SIljanovska-Davkova notes that “it is important that we are not frustrated just because we come from a small country”.
“No, I have long since overcome that and absolutely, when I say things, I say them as I think they are and I never forget who I represent. Never. And that is why I often say that the EU should rethink the methodology of the negotiations. It cannot be “shut up and listen”. Like an older brother and a younger one, or rich and poor. No. Both the candidates and the candidates for candidates have something to say. So, what are those negotiations when you tell me: “Here is the framework, implement it, change the Constitution because we are inside, we are an exclusive company, and you are waiting”? No. The EU also needs deep reforms,” stressed President Siljanovska-Davkova.
