Aleksey Kushch
“This is an unexpected, but, unfortunately for Ukraine, a very effective move. Unlike many top Russian officials, Belousov has not been involved in corruption scandals and has a reputation as a workaholic technocrat and a devout Orthodox Christian. Putin wants him to clean the Augean stables of the defence ministry so that military spending spearheads the resurgence of Russia's economy. The effectiveness of Russia's military-industrial complex will be boosted, and instead of being a 'black hole' of budget spendings, the defence ministry may become a driver of economic growth, when war spendings stimulate the growth of Russia's GDP.”
1 hour ago
Aleksey Kushch
“This is an unexpected, but, unfortunately for Ukraine, a very effective move. Unlike many top Russian officials, Belousov has not been involved in corruption scandals and has a reputation as a workaholic technocrat and a devout Orthodox Christian. Putin wants him to clean the Augean stables of the defence ministry so that military spending spearheads the resurgence of Russia's economy. The effectiveness of Russia's military-industrial complex will be boosted, and instead of being a 'black hole' of budget spendings, the defence ministry may become a driver of economic growth, when war spendings stimulate the growth of Russia's GDP.”
1 hour ago
“Open Balkan is our way forward on the road to the European Union. We agreed that our three countries would not be held hostage to the failure of the European Union to unblock our European integration process. That process can be stopped in Brussels, but the Europeanization and implementation of European values in Northern Macedonia, Serbia, and Albania have no reason to be on hold.”
“My days [as PM] are numbered. I said I would stay to solidify the government majority and today I believe we are achieving that goal. Now I will need to oversee developments with Bulgaria, and that will take only a few weeks.”
“I will stay in the immediate period ahead, while I am needed, so that a new government is organised with [the support of] the progressive majority [in parliament] which is there, and might get bigger.”
“I take responsibility for these developments. I resign from the post of prime minister and party president. I have brought freedom and democracy, and democracy means taking responsibility.”
“The meeting today is a step towards finding a solution that is aimed at being of interest to both parties. Only in this way will we have the support of the citizens of both countries. I appeal to the brotherly people in Bulgaria through their leaders to continue their support for the Republic of North Macedonia on the road to its EU membership because our country has no other alternative. The most important thing is that we believe in European values.”
“I am convinced that today's meetings here in Sofia will bring about only good for both brotherly nations. I appeal on the brotherly Bulgarian nation - through its leaders - to continue to help the Republic of North Macedonia on our path toward the European Union. We have no alternative.”
“I have a feeling the problem won't be solved by June 22. Bulgaria has a technical government and has no parliament [in session, ahead of July elections], but this option is not impossible. But I believe that these days we can reach an agreement that would be ratified by us and by the next Bulgarian government and parliament.”
“Leaving a vacuum in our part of Europe [Western Balkans] is not an option. We need a predictable, credible and re-intensified EU and NATO integration processes.”
“It is very important for us that France supports the process of integration of North Macedonia in the EU, with clearly set standards and without wasting time. Ahead of us is the European Council Summit in June, which is a real opportunity for a step forward and a solution that will remove the blockade on our European path.”
“Mickoski [Hristijan Mickoski] absolutely knows that the plan [Portuguese plan to overcome the issues with Bulgaria] is good and is a starting point for reaching a solution. So now, to organise protests with a few cars and a handful of people to block the traffic, is a message that I really cannot understand. We are talking with Bulgaria about the roadmap, and the talks are focused on a sectorial level, on construction of railways and roads that are part of Corridor 8, on cooperation between the culture ministries, and ministries for education and science, on labour and social policies and on health, as well as on cooperation between the national youth agencies and the national broadcasters. Everything else is being discussed through the Portuguese presidency.”
“We have good news. We will receive 8,000 Pfizer vaccines from Serbia. Today, President Vucic confirmed to me that Serbia will help us with vaccines from their supply, which we will pay at the purchase price. This is an act of solidarity by our neighbour and strengthens our friendship. Negotiations are underway on the technical procedures for the vaccination, and health professionals, people with chronic diseases, adults and other at risk groups will be vaccinated with the first batch.”
“Today was the first COREPER (which discussed the negotiating framework for North Macedonia) and Article 2 [Bulgaria will share its experience to assist the Republic of North Macedonia in meeting the necessary criteria for membership in the European Union] of the agreement with Bulgaria was violated, i.e. the first blockade was given. We have a contract in which we have to use all the important and promising moments that exist in it. This is the model that we have a part of history that is common and part of it separate. We have to use the model of common Use history and through it find the paths we want to establish. If we are smart, what we signed in 2017 can be a great opportunity to find a solution. Historical problems need to be resolved by the Commission and we see that it works.”
“Our intention is to activate the fast track of negotiations through chapters with the full and unconditional fulfilment of our EU agenda… We will not allow further delays. We accept the new principle of reversibility of the [EU negotiation] process if there is a degradation of the democratic environment in our country, but I would stress that our solemn obligation is not to allow that in the name of the future of the state and its citizens.”
“We continue to work actively on the European agenda, on fostering good neighborly relations, on the economic development of the country, we are committed to the protection of public health. Our sincere policies about dialogue show the European values we stand for and we believe that they will enable further development of the country.”
“I will say it once again – the identity issues, the Macedonian language, the Macedonian people, are part of the right to self-determination. Bulgaria is a European country and I believe that our talks are because of their ambition and justified desire to jointly honor Goce Delčev.”
“From a country that was last, isolated and with a marginal energy course, and which was in a situation of dependence on a single corridor, today, North Macedonia is a country integrated in energy projects and participates in energy connectivity initiatives that open wide prospects for rapid economic growth.”