Osmani: Two deadlines for the agreement on the SPO

Deputy PM for European Affairs Bujar Osmani is convinced that North Macedonia will enter the second stage of the EU accession process after 20 years of efforts and begin accession negotiations.
“We are working with member-states on the dilemmas they have on enlargement. However, these dilemmas do not relate to us, because North Macedonia has met the required criteria. We are trying to explain to them that the damage of not launching the negotiations would be greater. I am an optimist and assure you we will leave no stone unturned in securing the start of accession negotiations this year,” Osmani told reporters.
Asked if he would resign from the post if the country did not get the decision, he said the issue was bigger than any individual destiny or the Government as a whole.
“This issue is of historic significance for the country. We are in the final stretch of a 20-year-long marathon. This issue should not be reduced to individual responsibility of an official or a government. I assure you that the country will enter the second stage and start EU accession negotiations this year,” noted Osmani.
Regarding talks on the status of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, he says the desired date for their completion would be prior to the release of the European Commission Progress Report (May 29).
“The required date would be prior to the Council meeting (in June). We are working on using these days to the maximum so that a solution is reached among political parties. However, if such an agreement is not found within a reasonable deadline, then communication with MPs is the next step,” added Deputy PM Osmani.