SDSM urges Mickoski to explain how he will unblock North Macedonia's EU path

SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska publicly challenged Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to explain how he plans to unblock North Macedonia's EU path after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the country's identity is recognized within the Union.

At a press briefing Kuzeska said that von der Leyen's statement confirmed what SDSM and their leaders have repeatedly maintained and demanded concrete steps from the government. She accused Mickoski of reversing pre-election promises and of creating a two-and-a-half year delay in the country's European integration.

"He promised the return of the name, 'Never North', the annulment of the Prespa Agreement, a better negotiating position, a change of the negotiating framework. He came to power and suddenly the Prespa Agreement became a masterpiece of diplomacy, NATO became a great opportunity for business. Siljanovska admitted that with the Prespa Agreement the Macedonian language and identity are protected. He accused us of treason; he lied to citizens about a threatened identity," Kuzeska said.

Von der Leyen's remarks and the next steps

Kuzeska reminded the public of von der Leyen's recent calls to unblock the accession process and stressed that the Prespa Agreement represents a political act of courage. She asked again: "How will Mickoski unblock the process? Von der Leyen confirmed that the Macedonian identity is recognized in the EU. What is Mickoski defending? What next?"

The SDSM spokesperson also charged that the government's stall has cost North Macedonia two and a half years while the region moves forward. Kuzeska noted that Mickoski had been told to deal with Bulgaria directly, accepted that direction quickly and requested a bilateral meeting between Mucunski and Petrova, scheduled for next week.

Kuzeska said Mickoski sought EU mediation but did not receive it; instead he was instructed to address Bulgaria. She added that, according to von der Leyen, adoption of constitutional amendments remains the next required step for the country to advance on its EU path.

Photo: press material from the event