President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova confirmed today that she is also familiar with the ideas discussed in Brussels for the accelerated accession of Ukraine to the European Union (EU), together with Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia, but without the right to vote, which were recently revealed in a television interview by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
But, as she says, she cannot comment on them until they come to the table as an official proposal. In that context, she referred to the current way in which important decisions are made in the European Union, which is by consensus because member states have the right of veto.
"Yes, I have heard them, I have seen them, not only from senior politicians of the European Union, but also from representatives of various think tanks. The current situation is that, according to the acts of the European Union, members also have a status, they have the right to veto, important decisions are made by consensus, so when such a proposal is put on the table, I only hear that there is one, but when there is a proposal then I will think about it or respond to it," said the president, answering a journalist's question at a joint press conference with her Albanian counterpart Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to the country.
According to her, after what the country has done for European integration, it deserves to be included in the group of countries with which discussions will be held about the current way of entering the European Union or possibly about some modalities for membership.
"Then, of course, we will analyze the proposal, because it is not very serious to say what I think like this. I want to see what it refers to, what it means, what we can expect, and then I will answer you," added Siljanovska-Davkova.
This question was addressed in an interview with "360 Degrees" broadcast yesterday by the MEP and rapporteur for Macedonia in the European Parliament, Thomas Weitz, who said that there are discussions in Brussels related to finding a way to end the war in Ukraine.
Asked how feasible he thinks Ukraine's accelerated membership in the EU, along with the three Western Balkan countries, is, Weitz said:
"So, if there is any change in the methodology and if there is any, let's say, accelerated procedure, that is being discussed... there are discussions about why, you know, we need to find ways to end this war of Putin's Russia against Ukraine. We need to find ways to deliver security guarantees for Ukraine. And yes, there are negotiations that also include, you know, issues of European integration. But if there is a change in the methodology, then there will be a change for all countries, not just Ukraine. And if there is a possibility to accelerate the process, it will be possible for all countries. But what is certainly a basic condition is the so-called IBAR, the transitional benchmarks for the rule of law. So, the standards for the rule of law should be at a level that is acceptable for our common European Union because that is the basis on which we work together. This is the basis on which our market functions."
At the press conference, Siljanovska-Davkova was also asked about her position regarding Weitz's message during the presentation of the report on Macedonia in the European Parliament yesterday - that the country should use the positive momentum in the EU for enlargement and adopt constitutional amendments.
In this context, the President said that she had heard the message, but added that she also has a memory and that she has heard many times about such moments that should be used. According to her, from her position she cannot give advice on whether and when constitutional amendments should be adopted, because, according to the Constitution, this is the task of the MPs in the Assembly who vote according to their own convictions. Continuing in this sense, Siljanovska-Davkova said with a smile that our position is that guarantees are necessary that there will not, as she said, a new very opportune moment and another request for constitutional amendments will not arise again.
"In addition, I will repeat what I have said many times - we are record holders in constitutional amendments. Also, this time a constitutional amendment is being requested. Of course, our position is about the necessity of the necessity of guarantees that a new very opportune moment will not arise again and another request for constitutional amendments. I would have nothing against constitutional amendments if they are truly tied to the Copenhagen criteria or, if you like, in this case, to overcoming discrimination and guaranteeing minority rights. The Macedonian Constitution falls into the category of constitutions with strong guarantees of minority rights, which is not the case with many other constitutions, and perhaps even with the majority of constitutions of countries that are members of the European Union. So that is my comment," she stated.
The question of accelerated entry into the European Union, but without the right to vote, was also addressed to the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, who in that regard said that he could not comment on statements referring to a non-paper presented by an individual.
What he can say, he said, is that geographically and according to values, Albania and Macedonia belong to the European Union, and therefore, as he assessed, there should be more affirmative messages in that direction. Speaking in that direction, Begaj said that he agrees with the statement of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that in a few months there will be a different approach regarding enlargement.
"And I believe that such a strategy is important for the Western Balkan countries and for the support of the European Union countries. I always say that this is a process that benefits both sides - both the European Union and the Western Balkan countries," said Begaj, adding that both Macedonia and Albania have one hundred percent aligned their foreign and security policies with those of the European Union.
Begaj said that both countries have accepted the accession process, but that it should not be endless, but should have certain deadlines.
"Of course, we will do our homework very well regarding reforms, and these reforms are important not only for membership but also for us," he added.
