SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
The press-conference of outgoing Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov provoked numerous reactions by ministers and other members of the current government and other political figures. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Bujar Osmani, Dimitrov’s statements may endanger the new political momentum in the bilateral relations between Skopje and Sofia. “My views and positions upon this matter are the same as the official positions of the state. The citizens expect us to use the new momentum and try to resolve the problems and blockades. I call upon all our colleagues, current and former, to show some fair relation towards each other and keep the level of mutual trust we have been building for many years now,” Osmani said. First Deputy PM Artan Grubi said that the citizens should not be worried and should trust FM Osmani, and added that he is surprised that Dimitrov concluded he does not trust Osmani right at the end of his mandate as Deputy PM for European Affairs. PM-designate Dimitar Kovacevski said that he recognises in Dimitrov’s statements a dissatisfaction that he has not been included in the new government, adding that Dimitrov himself participated in the process for budling the official positions of the state towards Bulgaria. Reaction also came from the Office of outgoing PM Zoran Zaev. “Dimitrov participated in all processes for definition of the official governmental positions in the disputes with Bulgaria. These positions were established with unanimous support by all participants in the government. The Macedonian identity and language are not endangered by these positions at all. Dimitrov constantly supported these positions, so it is not very clear why he decided to voice now such distrust in those same positions. It would be fair for the people for Dimitrov to state clearly what he opposes and disagrees with,” writes the reaction from Zaev’s office. Deputy PM for Fighting Corruption Ljupco Nikolovski said he does not expect any stir-up after Dimitrov’s statements because, as he added, the positions of the government over these matters are clear, public and transparent. VMRO-DPMNE also reacted to Dimitrov’s press conference. “Dimitrov should not act as hero after a war, for he is a victim of his own incapability. He is just a career person who managed to complicate the relations of our country with almost all of its neighbours. Still, in his speech today, aware or not about it, he revealed that the government is preparing to commit treason; He said that he does not trust FM Osmani, for he allegedly wanted resolution of the disputes with Bulgaria no matter what. It seems that the government wants to avoid the resolution adopted in the parliament proposed by VMRO-DPMNE concerning the preservation of the Macedonian identity and language,” said VMRO-DPMNE Vice-President Aleksandar Nikoloski.
