Mickoski: North Macedonia is a "victim of a kind of harassment" on EU path

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski addressed attendees outside the Concordia event in New York, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, and spoke about the hurdles North Macedonia faces on its path to EU membership.

Speaking on a panel with Georgia's Deputy Prime Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Mickoski said some EU member states are using the accession process to press bilateral demands that, in his view, amount to attempts to change Macedonian identity. He added that Brussels still sends positive signals about Macedonia's future in the bloc.

Journey, concessions and public frustration

Mickoski emphasised the long duration of the accession effort and recalled major concessions his country has made in past years. He said the process has left many citizens disillusioned because of repeated constitutional changes and symbolic alterations.

He told the audience: "We started our journey nearly two and a half decades ago. And, unfortunately, because of some artificial reasons, we have not managed to become part of the EU. Probably one day we will achieve this cornerstone. Meanwhile, the frustration among Macedonian citizens is enormous, because in the past we made too many concessions: we changed the flag, we changed the Constitution several times, we even changed the constitutional name, and all of that looks like a story without an end. But, anyway, we believe in European values and we will continue so, to finally find a way out of this locked situation in which we find ourselves now."

Mickoski repeated his characterization of North Macedonia as "a victim of a kind of harassment," arguing the choice presented to his country is stark: either be inside the EU or remain outside — and those who want to join must accept conditions being imposed on them. He said his government remains ready to press forward in search of a way out.

Photo: press material from the event