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In the Republic of North Macedonia, unfortunately, there is no national consensus to continue on the path to the EU, according to the country's president, Stevo Pendarovski.

According to him, the political parties claim that they are in favor of the country's membership in the EU, but when the question of the specific negotiation framework and the conditions in it is clarified, "half of them do not have them". 

"The first commitment in this sense is the change of the constitution.

Through this, it should be shown whether you are for or against the EU, because the content of the negotiating framework is clear.

The specific commitment - that the Bulgarians be included in the preamble of the constitution is known to us, and if there are six other peoples included in the constitution, what is the controversy?

How do we destroy the Macedonian state if we include more Bulgarians, Croats, Montenegrins, maybe Jews", Pendarovski asked in a statement to the media after participating in the round table "The Western Balkans, between the West and the East: North Macedonia - EU member by 2030. " in Skopje.

Pendarovski noted that he does not see a field in which he can help in this situation, because "the positions of the political parties are so "entrenched" in the party rhetoric, which they believe will bring them success in the next elections, that they do not leave it" and reminded that the deputies from VMRO-DPMNE have signed notarized declarations "that they will not sign a change in the constitution even in their sleep". 

According to Pendarovski, the solution is to "constantly publicly explain that if the Bulgarians are included in the preamble of the constitution, this does not destroy the state and it is an absolutely safe situation".  

Pendarovski does not recognize as a threat, nor does he find hidden motives in the meeting that took place in Tirana on Tuesday with the leaders of the Albanian political parties in North Macedonia and the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

"The time has long passed when we viewed the political processes, events or meetings taking place in Tirana as a threat to our security.

Let's not forget that the Republic of Albania is a member of NATO and together with us started negotiations in the EU.

Albania is our friend and I have no doubts whatsoever about the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's ulterior motives.

I know him quite well and I don't think that any anti-Macedonian scenarios are being created there," said Pendarovski.

Historic day for the RSM: EU membership negotiations begin

Regarding the comments that appeared in the country that the Albanian leaders were called to Tirana to agree on the constitutional changes, Pendarovski pointed out that all those who were in Tirana months ago had already stated that they would support changing the Constitution, for to include the Bulgarians in it.

"From this point of view, there is no need for Edi Rama to call the Albanian politicians in Tirana, because they do not pose a problem for changing the constitution, at least not those who were in Tirana.

I don't see any particularly bad history in this meeting", Pendarovski pointed out.

EU membership

Stevo Pendarovski