FM Poposki: Macedonia is constructive toward neighbors offering them cooperation initiatives
Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki rejected the claims by the spokesman of Greece's Foreign Ministry, Gregory Delavekouras that Macedonia was nonconstructive having disagreements with all of neighbors.
"I don't think it reflects reality. Perhaps it is based on the wish of creating certain perception. What Macedonia is doing in terms of its foreign policy is quite constructive and European... Attempts aimed at creating a negative climate in relation to good neighborly relations are counterproductive. The sole parameter serving to asses one's conduct in neighborly ties are concrete gestures i.e. to respond to initiatives and to join them," Poposki said.
He added that Macedonia hadn't yet received any answer regarding its initiatives, meetings or concrete projects, which "is the first step towards demonstrating constructiveness."
"Macedonia approaches its neighbors with constructiveness and by building bridges. We want to lift the existing barriers," the FM noted.
He didn't comment Greece's instructions on how to name Macedonia and referred to the judgment of the International Court of Justice "being the only relevant document on the issue." "It is very clear and I would urge everybody to read it before imposing a certain position regarding the use of a name."
Asked about Bulgaria's "red lines" that might hinder Macedonia's EU integration, FM Poposki said it was absurd EU members to hinder countries integrating into the EU.
"We want to build constructive relations with all neighbors. Our objective is to be part of the EU together with them. This is the approach with which we can establish a better climate in the region. No one benefits from creating conflict situations and I think it would be unjust if an EU country hinders the integration process of its neighbor. The benefit will be mutual and our relations will be established in this context," Poposki urged.
Given the upcoming visit by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, who arrives in Skopje on Monday to attend the third round of talks within the High Level Accession Dialogue, the Minister said that the most important message sent by Macedonia was that the country was behaving like a serious and credible European partner and like a country that had met the criteria, thus deserving to start negotiations.
"There is an opportunity to confirm this on Monday. We are expecting the new progress report by the European Commission. I think it will reflect the real situation. It is crucial for us to get support by EU countries in order to finally retain the EU credibility in terms of enlargement and especially with regard to Macedonia, which should get a date for start of negotiations this year," Poposki said.
The FM noted that the goal was to meet as many 'substantial, key and difficult' reforms as possible.
EU Ambassador Aivo Orav said he expected Fule's visit to be successful. "The High Level Accession Dialogue is crucial for the state, the Government and the opposition, the non-governmental sector as well as for the ordinary people. Everyone sees it in a different way, but no one is able to say that it's not important and therefore I hope for success," Orav stated.