On Thursday, President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova addressed the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), discussing the country’s new name and EU path, as well as other topics.
“The new name is indeed a formal-legal reality and my country, as a responsible member state of the United Nations and NATO, fulfils its international obligations. Still, the EU membership, for which it did that, not only did not come true, but the Macedonian citizens are now facing a new, repeated ‘final condition’ for another constitutional amendment, but now not for membership, but for the start of negotiations for the second time!
For us, membership in the EU, after 20 years of negotiations and 16 positive European Commission reports, resembles Mr Godot, because we have been waiting for him since 2005, encouraged by international representatives with the refrain: ‘just this one condition more’, ‘just this one concession more’, ‘just this one constitutional amendment more’.
Thus, we became a “sui generis” state, with 36 constitutional amendments in 30 years, anchored in the geo-political region called the “Western Balkans”!
As a peace-loving country, committed to good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation, we expect understanding and cooperation with our neighbours, without the threat of a veto. If there is a veto, there is often no justice.
The veto has turned into an instrument for bilateralisation of the European integration, i.e. its stagnation. In conditions of conflict on the European soil, the stagnation of the European integration not only demotivates Macedonian citizens and slows down reforms, but also destabilises the region of South-East Europe, leaving room for penetration of malignant imperial and great power influences. Enlargement must be tied to the meritocratic Copenhagen criteria and freed from the veto linked to the attempt to revise history and disrespect national and cultural identity.
From our European and strategic partners, we expect understanding and fair unblocking of the process of negotiations for membership in the European Union, rejecting double standards and respecting our own principles and values, embedded in the fundamental constitutional documents.
The European reunification is like an unfinished symphony without us. The European Union is not only a political system but also a political philosophy in which the largest number of Macedonian and Balkan political actors and citizens believe.
Integration is a powerful motive and key force for democratic development. The full integration of the Balkans into the EU will put an end to the endless redrawing of borders and balkanization as a phenomenon.
But, of course, the Balkan states must behave in compliance with the European standards, regionally connecting and cooperating. The experience is valuable and the help of the countries of the region that have become part of the EU, as well as those that are on the European path, is expected,” she said, inter alia, in her address.