Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani recalled on Thursday 10 December that there was no other future for his country than to become a member of the EU, while Bulgaria continues to veto the official opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia (see EUROPE 12618/2).
“There is no plan B [...], EU membership is invaluable”, he told the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs. “There is no alternative to the EU”, he added.
Mr Osmani made no secret of his disappointment at the deadlock facing his country, believing that this was playing into the hands of the eurosceptics.
“If the European definition of a country making progress [towards accession] is a country that continues to reform and consolidate its democracy, rebuilds institutional confidence and the Rule of law, improves the transparency of the decision-making process, ensures respect for the separation of powers and becomes a factor of stability in the region by resolving outstanding bilateral issues, then North Macedonia deserves to hold its first Intergovernmental Conference by the end of the year”, he said.
In the meantime, there can be no talk of resting on one’s laurels. Mr Osmani specified that the country will continue its reforms. “We will intensify our efforts and focus on the first cluster [of EU accession negotiation chapters] to avoid wasting time and to be ready when the negotiations are officially opened”, he warned. The first cluster, which includes fundamental rights, is the first to be opened in the accession process and the last to be closed before a country’s accession.
In any case, Skopje will have to be patient. According to Mr Osmani, another decade could pass before the EU is ready to accept a new Member State. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)