According to MEPs Arnaud Danjean and Eduard Kukan, the current security and political situation in Macedonia comes as a consequence of the lengthy delay of the start of EU membership negotiations, MIA reports from Strasbourg.
French MEP Danjean, who is an expert on Balkan affairs, says Macedonia is not faced with a security issue, but with a political issue.
“The security issue is a consequence, fortunately it is a minimum one so far, although there have been tragic events. Still, it remains under control… The security issue stems from the political blockade due to an irrational dispute,” stated Danjean.
It is time a certain number of European and non-European countries to take responsibility for the situation in Macedonia, noted the French MEP.
“Macedonia is an EU candidate country since 2005. Ten years later, negotiations haven’t been opened yet, although it should have already happened. The challenges we are facing now in Macedonia are mainly stemming from this problem,” he stressed.
Moreover, Danjean denounces all recent conspiracy theories surrounding Macedonia. “I can’t listen to the great conspiracy theories any more linking the crisis in Macedonia with East-West confrontation, US-Russia confrontation or with ethnic tensions between Albanians and Macedonians. Macedonia is facing difficulties of political nature. We are aware of the weaknesses of the Macedonian society and the Macedonian political elite. Everyone needs to demonstrate accountability and champion more rational positions. Only then we will find a solution,” MEP Danjean stated.
Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader, and Zoran Zaev, opposition leader and SDSM president, have been engaged in finding a rational solution to the current crisis along with three ‘facilitators’, MEPs Eduard Kukan, Ivo Vajgl and Richard Howitt.
MEP Kukan says he believes the EU bears responsibility for the latest developments in Macedonia.
“It cannot be helpful to be a candidate country for eight, nine years and to be told the same thing over and over again, but with different words in the annual reports. It’s not helpful for the ruling political elites in Macedonia and it’s not the cause for enthusiasm,” stated Kukan.
The Slovak MEP and shadow rapporteur for Macedonia said the attack in Kumanovo only emphasizes the need for solving the issue with the opening of accession talks with the EU.
“The tragic events in Kumanovo only reinforce the need for Europe to solve these issues, i.e. to treat them more seriously if it’s not able to settle them. Europe is seriously accountable considering this matter,” stressed Kukan.
Later in the day, the European Parliament will debate about the situation in Macedonia. It is not envisaged a resolution to be adopted.
