He informs that currently, the Government is working on a response to the draft solutions of Sofia in regards to the five issues, but before that, the History Commission has to meet. Osmani did not say if the protocol with Bulgaria will be signed by the end of this month or the start of November.
-If an agreement for those five points is reached, there should be one more point, and that is for there to be support from Bulgaria for the first intergovernmental conference to take place on a certain date. There have to be “five plus two points” in order for there to be an agreement. If that happens, then at the intergovernmental commission, we have to adopt that agreement, which will be confirmed by both governments. And at the same time, the position of that roadmap to the European process is being talked about. We also consider that the Portuguese proposal is the solution, says Osmani.
Reaching an agreement with Bulgaria incorporates the start of negotiations between our country and the EU, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who said that the issue of the possibility of reaching an agreement with Sofia, but not starting negotiations with the EU, is pointless.
-We will not reach an agreement if part of the package is not a decision for holding the first intergovernmental conference, says Osmani.
He informed that before sending a reply to Bulgaria to the five questions, the Historic Commission should meet, for which Osmani expressed dissatisfaction with its work and the approach of imposing a historical truth.
-I hope that the meeting of the History Commission will be held with physical presence, and not online. Because I believe that with direct and open conversations, a solution could be reached proactively. This is such an important moment and I believe we should all be at the level of the task and try to reach the solutions, pointed out Osmani.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that at the EU Summits, 26 member states say they are in “favor” for starting negotiations with the Union, and the only one that says “no” is Republic of Bulgaria.
Osmani pointed out that the entire energy of the Government is directed to reaching an agreement with Bulgaria and deciding at the December Summit for the Republic of North Macedonia to start negotiations with the Union. If we do not succeed until December, we move forward. This is a marathon, and we have no other race track. Just like we became a member of NATO, so will we become a member of EU, highlighted Osmani.
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
