When the United States, an exemplary democracy, is sending this clear message, to us it represents a serious message of encouragement, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stated Wednesday when asked to comment on the executive order signed by US President Joe Biden to sanction certain persons acting against the Prespa Agreement and the Ohrid Framework Agreement and their implementation, undermining peace and regional cooperation.
Despite being encouraging, it is also an additional motivation proving we are on the right track, he added.
“We are supporters of the Prespa Agreement. It is a message of democratic values we are fighting for and represents a confirmation of the values the government advocates for,” Zaev stated.
Furthermore, he also welcomed the fact that the United States, “the number one and biggest strategic partner of the country has put an emphasis on the Western Balkans and an emphasis on the values this government is championing.” “It is also sending a message to all those undermining the democratic values. What the US can do, to block accounts or to ban travels of others is no small feat,” Zaev said.
Asked whom the message is sent to, Zaev said the order is very clear and covering firstly the Prespa Agreement and the Ohrid Framework Agreement amongst other treaties in the region.
“They had been created with the help of friends, primarily the United States. The efforts made aim at securing and guaranteeing good future in the Balkans, which has been done. No new wars, no likelihood of new wars, which is important but it isn’t enough,” PM Zaev concluded.
