North Macedonia

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

18 Jan 2021 6 4

Florian Bieber

Inserted 3 years ago

“While it is uncertain that North Macedonia and Albania will progress this year [with the EU accession negotiations], I would think the odds are good. After Bulgarian elections (scheduled for March) there will be a chance to find a face-saving way out for Bulgaria. However, if that opportunity is missed, the risk will be that the veto 'settles in' and becomes harder to challenge in the subsequent period.”

Professor at the University of Graz and member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG)

12 Jan 2021 4 4

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel

Inserted 3 years ago

“The delay with North Macedonia is rather frustrating, and that is understandable. We have seen that Kosovo and Albania are the highest supporters of the integration process, even after we disappointed them so many times. If you have a country that is committed, the EU should do the same. People in Kosovo are still waiting for visa liberalisation. The EU is not delivering.”

Member of European Parliament and shadow rapporteur for Serbia

11 Dec 2020 4 3

Stefan Andonovski

Inserted 3 years ago

“The time has come for a resignation, a resignation for shame, for the lies they told us that we have a date for negotiations with the EU, a resignation because they said there would be no declaration or an additional agreement with Bulgaria, and they brought it, a resignation because they negotiated Macedonian language to be with a footnote. Mainly because they brought national shame to the people of 'Macedonia' and did not bring the EU”

Member of the VMRO-DPMNE Central Committee

04 Dec 2020 3 5

Bujar Osmani

Inserted 3 years ago

“North Macedonia will continue with all its efforts to seek reasonable solutions for overcoming any differences with Bulgaria and remains committed to the reform process and all other segments that are a part of our European integration priorities. Furthermore, we still think that there are considerable chances, if we utilize the period ahead productively, to hold the first Intergovernmental Conference during the German Presidency.”

North Macedonia Minister of Foreign Affairs

20 Nov 2020 3 3

Nikola Dimitrov

Inserted 3 years ago

“It is difficult to explain why the Macedonian language is an obstacle to bringing North Macedonia closer to the Union because the EU respects cultural and linguistic diversity. History and language are not subject to debate between politicians. We will not give up, we are still talking, but language cannot be an obstacle if our partnership is honest. We are investing in our friendship with Bulgaria.”

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of North Macedonia

20 Nov 2020 4 3

Malinka Ristovska

Inserted 3 years ago

“I don’t believe that this will turn into a copy of the 'name' dispute with Greece because the EU as well as us have all drawn some experience from that – but I also don’t believe in a quick solution because Bulgaria shows no flexibility and it has gone too far with its demands. I believe a solution will have to be found over a mid-term period, and even if we manage to unlock the start of the EU accession talks, the issues with Bulgaria will have to be resolved in parallel with the talks over the next years.”

Researcher from the Skopje-based think tank European Policy Institute

18 Nov 2020 3 3

Bujar Osmani

Inserted 3 years ago

“We will work until the last moment to make a decision of the General Affairs Council, that is our policy. Obviously, in the Republic of Bulgaria, there are more and more voices about not-acceptance of the framework for North Macedonia, but we will continue to work, to talk not only with Bulgaria, but will all member states because we have no alternative to the European path.”

North Macedonia Minister of Foreign Affairs

16 Nov 2020 3 2

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“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.”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

06 Nov 2020 3 3

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“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.”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

02 Nov 2020 2 3

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“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.”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

22 Oct 2020 2 3

Olivér Várhelyi

Inserted 3 years ago

“Good discussion on ongoing reforms and implementation of Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans as well as work to finalise Negotiating Frameworks. Looking forward to North Macedonia advancing on EU path.”

European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

22 Oct 2020 2 4

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“There is no 'plan B' on the road to EU membership, we must succeed”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

16 Oct 2020 2 2

Stevo Pendarovski

Inserted 3 years ago

“European Union solidarity, which has been questioned many times in the past, has now proven to anybody that it is real, that it exist and that it is really delivering.”

President of the Republic of North Macedonia

09 Oct 2020 2 3

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“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.”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

05 Oct 2020 5 2

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“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.”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

02 Oct 2020 1 2

Heiko Maas

Inserted 3 years ago

“Our declared goal remains to hold the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia during the German presidency of the Union, which is the next logical step in the country’s accession to the EU”

Germany Foreign Minister

01 Oct 2020 3 3

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“There comes a time of order, justice and discipline. The laws [from the judicial sphere] have been passed and now is the time for their swift and effective implementation. Those who wish to disregard the laws will have to face the law.”

Prime Minister of North Macedonia

30 Aug 2020 1 3

Artan Grubi

Inserted 3 years ago

“Our contacts [with the Social Democrats] are daily … We are waiting for the process of filing complaints [to the State Electoral Commission] to finish so that we can continue and intensify our contacts for the establishment of institutions … in a spirit of cooperation and responsibility.”

Democratic Union for Integration organisational secretary

23 Jul 2020 4 5

Nikola Dujovski

Inserted 3 years ago

“One thing is certain, the balance of power in parliament will keep North Macedonia on course toward the EU”

Rferl

Professor at the University of Bitola (North Macedonia)

17 Jul 2020 2 4

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“Thank you very much. We are so happy because we are the example throughout the region that it is possible to resolve difficult issues with neighbors and still win elections. After resolving such a complex issue as the name issue with our neighboring Greece and many other tough decisions, we defeated nationalism with the power of the vote in the best democratic way.”

Leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia

17 Jul 2020 1 2

Hristijan Mickoski

Inserted 3 years ago

“We did not form a pre-election coalition with the political parties from the Albanian bloc, but it does not mean that we will not make a post-election one coalition. Both in 2016 and this time, the VMRO-DPMNE coalition has more MPs from the SDSM coalition. While the people give their support for VMRO-DPMNE, we will fight for the people.”

Leader of VMRO-DPMNE

16 Jul 2020 4 4

Zoran Zaev

Inserted 3 years ago

“I am happy that the citizens recognised our good policies. It is time for all the dark and backward concepts to end in the past, and for the parties that offered such policies to start the process of renewal. The road is straight, but more and better work must be done. I assure you that we will continue to do so in the future, with many lessons learned and many problems solved. Wage growth follows. Mass cleaning of air, water and soil follows. An eco-state follows. We lend a hand to anyone who needs help. Even better public health protection follows. Negotiations with the EU follow. And finally, justice follows”