SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
On Tuesday, Parliament determined the need to adopt the law for ratification of the Skopje-Athens name agreement. 110 MPs attended the session. 69 voted in favour, while 40 were against. FM Nikola Dimitrov explained before parliamentarians the need to adopt the law in a shortened procedure. The adoption deadline is 22 June 2018. As Dimitrov said, it’s more than necessary to adopt it in a shortened procedure, considering Macedonia’s European and Euro-Atlantic perspectives. After the need to adopt the law had been voted through, PS Talat Xhaferi ordered the European Affairs Committee to review the proposal, which has a European flag, as well as the Legislative Committee. VMRO-DPMNE MPs criticised the name agreement, describing it as one-sided and unconstitutional. According to the party, it represents capitulation and genocide against the Macedonian people. VMRO-DPMNE’s parliamentary group will not participate in Parliament’s work in relation to the name deal. “The party’s organs will decide how we will act further,” MP Antonio Milososki stressed. SDSM MP Tomislav Tuntev urged VMRO-DPMNE to return. “The agreement we should voice a stand on is a high patriotic act that brings a future for the country and for all citizens,” he stressed. The same day, the Legislative and European Affairs Committees adopted the draft law. According to ruling majority sources, Parliament will ratify the deal reached with Athens on Wednesday.
