Zaev: Opposition must take responsibility for seizing unique opportunity for Macedonia


At Wednesday’s session of the Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Issues regarding the Government’s motion for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement MPs of both ruling and opposition parties voiced support for Macedonia’s integration with the Euro-Atlantic organizations.

The ruling parties called on MPs to support the process for constitutional revision stemming from the Prespa Agreement, while the opposition labeled the activities to that effect as ‘unconstitutional’.

The MPs must take into consideration the will of over 600,000 citizens who voted in the (name) referendum, PM Zaev said at the session.

‘We have to make decisions as this is a unique opportunity. Both Hristijan Mickoski and Gjorge Ivanov are aware that I briefed them about each phone conversation during the process of reaching the name agreement. Someone had to make a decision and I did that. Now you (opposition) should also take the responsibility for our country,’ Zaev said.

He voiced belief that the parliamentary procedure for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement and for Macedonia’s EU, NATO membership could be successful.

Let’s join forces and make courageous decision, DUI MP Artan Grubi said. The future generations need a safe state, he said.

‘The days ahead are for courageous MPs. The fear is isolation, the courage is integration,’ Grubi said.

VMRO-DPMNE MP Ilija Dimovski criticized the ruling SDSM for failing to include the opposition in the name negotiating process.

Such strategic agreement cannot live without the support of the two main Macedonian parties, Dimovski said.

The Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Issues scheduled a new session on the Government’s motion for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement for this Friday.