During a recent visit to Skopje, the EU ambassador, Mihalis Rokas, emphasized that the approval of necessary constitutional changes constitutes the foundational step required before formal negotiations with the European Union can commence. When questioned about whether the existing Franco-German under-document permits the initiation of talks without these amendments, Ambassador Rokas clarified that the document serves to reinforce the already established roadmap of required steps. He detailed the procedural sequence, explaining that the approval of the proposed constitutional amendments itself defines the agreed-upon framework for the accession process, which was established in 2022.
According to Rokas, the subsequent phase involves convening an intergovernmental conference, which will then pave the way for the launch of official accession negotiations. Ambassador Rokas expressed confidence in the trajectory of North Macedonia’s integration path, asserting that rapid advancement is contingent upon the nation’s diligent implementation of the reforms identified within the reform agenda. He reiterated that the successful passage of the necessary changes is not merely procedural but is integral to solidifying the groundwork for meaningful dialogue with the EU institutions.
This emphasis underscores that while key political agreements exist, the domestic legislative and constitutional approvals remain the critical gateway to advancing the EU accession negotiations.
Topics: #constitutional #changes #negotiations
