Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov says he has not stepped down alone and that not being part of the new government is a result of his position on the issue with Bulgaria. He emphasizes that it is in someone’s interest both in the country and abroad for him not to be part of the government, but also not to be at home, due to which, as he pointed out, he received an offer for ambassadorial position, which he rejected.
– I want to deny that I withdrew myself. That’s not correct. I am not a man who withdraws from battles. I did not resign because I feel responsible and I think that the positions I represent in the negotiation process with Bulgaria are correct and it is important to maintain them. I had a serious battle inside, especially in the last year, in terms of defining the national positions, meaning the very essence of the trouble, but also the strategy, ie the course of the negotiations themselves. That battle was no secret. The differences were evident in both public messages and public appearances, Dimitrov said at today’s press conference.
As he stressed, on two occasions when that battle culminated what the public does not know – once in Brussels, once in Skopje, he made it clear that he would not allow the set borders to be crossed at any cost, and at least at the cost of his position in the Government. , emphasizing that by that he made it known that there is simply no conversation with him inside about some things.
– I was and am fully prepared to continue this battle regardless of the position or function. In my career in this job I have met many influential people who did not have a function, and I have met those who are in a position but do not have weight, which our people say “does not take their word for it”. My word assures you that it continues, but for that to happen I need to be at home, to be here, to be active, to be loud and to have the freedom to fight for my positions and my vision, said Deputy Prime Minister Dimitrov.
He emphasizes that along with the fact that there was no room for his positions in the next government, he was not surprised by the offer to be ambassador to Washington. That, Dimitrov emphasized, would not only remove him from home, but would also tie his word, because, as he said, diplomats while on duty do not have the right to be loud and publicly fight for their views at home.
– When I refused Washington, along the way I received another offer, to be an ambassador, maybe in another country. Well, I might even choose. I realized that obviously someone’s investment in not being at home, and thus weakening the votes that are on the line in the negotiations that I am fighting for, is great. The interest in not having me is not only domestic. You know that many in the neighborhood will be just as happy to be free as they called me a virus more dangerous than KOVID. But, as I said then, there is no vaccine against the virus of ideals and principles and exactly this attempt to not have my voice at home makes my investment, my motive to stay even longer, said Dimitrov.
The Deputy Prime Minister promised that he will closely monitor the negotiation process and will fully fight against a bad solution, and will support a dignified and European solution.
– This is how I work, for the things that are important to you both in your personal life and in politics, there is no compromise. This question is my personal life mission. Absolute respect for the Macedonian language as equal to all European languages and European integration based on real European pillars and criteria – the Copenhagen criteria, said the Deputy Prime Minister at, as he mentioned, the last press conference as a government official.
Source: MIA
