Murtezani met the rapporteur for the Republic of Macedonia in the EP in Brussels: Constitutional changes are a necessity for the European path

Minister for European Affairs, Orhan Murtezani, met today in Brussels with the MEP and rapporteur for North Macedonia in the European Parliament, Thomas Weiz, following the constructive and open dialogue established during their last meeting in Skopje, which in turn laid the foundations for further parliamentary cooperation and political coordination in support of North Macedonia's European integration.

"The talks highlighted key aspects of the accession process, including the implementation of the Reform Agenda, constitutional amendments, the course of preparations for the opening of the clusters of the negotiating framework, as well as the importance of inter-institutional and inter-party consensus for successful management of reform priorities. Minister Murtezani expressed gratitude for the constructive support from the European Parliament and stressed the importance of the constructive role of MEPs, in particular rapporteurs, in maintaining the credibility of the enlargement policy, as a key instrument for the Europeanization of the Western Balkans," the Ministry for European Affairs said in a statement.

In the context of current political and regional challenges, Murtezani emphasized the Government's readiness to intensify the reform process, as well as to maintain an open and inclusive dialogue in the country, with the aim of building broader support for the realization of the strategic goal - full membership in the European Union. It was emphasized that the process of constitutional changes, although complex, remains a necessary step on the European path, which requires a responsible approach and unification around a common vision for the European future.

"MEP Wejc reaffirmed his personal and institutional commitment to supporting North Macedonia on its European path and welcomed North Macedonia's constructive role in regional cooperation and its active involvement in European initiatives, emphasizing its importance as a stable partner of the European Union. The interlocutors reaffirmed their mutual readiness to continue intensive communication and coordinated activities that will contribute to further progress in the accession process, in the spirit of mutual understanding, trust and European solidarity."

"North Macedonia must make constitutional changes to continue its path towards the EU. The constitutional change includes the addition of Bulgarians and other ethnicities to the Constitution. This comes as a result of the fact that North Macedonia, after 17 years, on July 19, 2022, began accession talks with the EU by holding the first intergovernmental conference, following the approval of the French proposal, which North Macedonia approved on July 16, 2022. The proposal at that time was voted in parliament without the participation of the then opposition, which is now in power. The constitutional change requires a two-thirds majority and negotiations with the EU will not begin until these changes are made," the announcement says.