In the past one hundred days, the government has been strongly committed to finding solutions to the issues raised by Bulgaria hindering a final approval for holding the first intergovernmental conference, which marks the opening of our negotiations to join the EU, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Monday in an address at an event marking the government’s first 100 days in office.

“This government, this country and our people are certainly not to blame for this situation. It is our strong position that the Macedonian national identity is simply impossible to be up for debate, that we cannot and will not give up on our right to self-determination, guaranteed under the UN charter and all other international agreement and conventions, which all have been signed by Bulgaria too” he said.

We, Zaev noted, hope that the damage done by the unjustified veto to the European integration process in the region and the European values would be fixed soon.

“The North Macedonia government will not allow the failure in the EU integration process by having the negotiating framework not being approved to stall reforms at home,” the PM pledged.

According to him, the government will remain committed to implementing European standards at home and resuming talks with Bulgaria.

As regards regional cooperation, PM Zaev mentioned the successful organization of the summit of leaders as part of the Berlin Process, co-chaired with Bulgaria, where the leaders signed a declaration on joint regional market and a green agenda declaration. Its implementation should be supported by the EU Economic and Investment Plan, estimated at EUR 9 billion.

Considering international achievements, Zaev pointed out the country has been honored by being approved to chair the OSCE presidency in 2023. “This is a recognition of our government for its role in the past three years in building bridges of cooperation at regional level and returning to the international stage after being isolated for many years,” he said.