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TIRANA – Although the anti-pandemic measures in North Macedonia did not differ much from the neighboring countries, segments of the government by applying those measures selectively have further contributed to the spread of Covid-19, said North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski in an interview with RFE/RL on Sunday.
Pendarovski said it is not a failure of the government as a whole but of some important segments of the society and some citizens who are not yet aware that these measures must be applied.
Regarding the rise of nationalist tensions ahead of elections in North Macedonia, the President said that he believes that nationalism does not play an important role before the election, nor does it have a crucial significance who will be the election winner. He thinks that nationalism is encouraged by political parties participating ion the elections.
In regard to DUI’s idea of an ‘Albanian prime minister’ Pendarovski stressed that there is no constitutional political or legal obstacle to an Albanian to be country’s PM.
Speaking of the start of EU membership talks and possibility of Bulgaria to veto the process, Pendarovski said he did not expect such a move from Sofia.
“I think that the complete Bulgarian political elite will not join, because it will want our country to be more present in a different way, not with blockades and vetoes, and I think it is good to look at the example of Greece,” he said. According to him, after the Prespa agreement Greece has positioned itself as the key regional player.
In a comment on the expected talks between Kosovo and Serbia North Macedonian head of state said a possible solution between them would have an effect on countries in the region. But, as he said, Northern Macedonia would require international guarantees if the solution included border changes for not having a domino effect in the region.
“I cannot say that changing the border cannot be the solution to the Kosovo problem. But as President of this country, what I want to say is that changing the borders should not produce the domino effect in the region,” he said.
“We demand clear international guarantees if such a solution is being discussed at the table and if it is accepted by Belgrade and Pristina,” said President Pendarovski. /argumentum.al
