In an interview with French "Le Figaro", Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Poposki says that elections were cancelled after the main opposition SDSM party refused to take part due to its poor standing in the polls, and that a new Government will be formed as agreed-100 days before the next elections, when SDSM agrees to participate.
Minister Poposki, who was in Paris for a meeting of the Berlin process, adds that the long delays in bringing Macedonia into NATO and the European Union have contributed to causing the political crisis, and says that the southern border will remain closed for illegal migrants.
"The best way out of the political crisis is through elections. There is an agreement between the four leading parties to hold elections, but they were postponed twice, because the Social-Democrats, the chief opposition party, know that the public opinion is favorably disposed toward them. When they are ready for elections, we will implement the political agreement, which provides for a 'technical Government' to be formed 100 days before the elections", Minister Poposki told "Le Figaro".
Asked about the decision of President Gjorge Ivanov to issue pardons to over 50 politicians and their supporters from both main parties, Poposki says that it was roundly criticized by all political parties, and that the Parliament adopted legislation that allows the President to withdraw his pardons. Minister Poposki says that the crisis has affected Macedonia's bid to join NATO and EU, which, he adds, has been stalled for years.
"It is evident that it is not good to have such a serious political crisis, and it would be naive to think it will not have consequences for our bid to join NATO and EU. But, we met criteria for NATO membership years ago, and yet we have not advanced forward. That has inflamed the political crisis", Poposki told "Le Figaro".
Minister Poposki has welcomed the decision of Greek authorities to evacuate the large border migrant camp near Gevgelija, saying that it will reduce tensions with Greece. "This was the best decision regarding the camp", Poposki said, adding that Macedonia will continue to implement the decision of the European Council to keep its border with Greece closed for illegal entry of migrants. Asked whether there are legitimate refugees among the tens of thousands of people in Greece, Poposki says that it is up to Greece to determine that. "For us, all those who cross the border violently, are illegals", the Minister said, before adding that sometimes, candidate countries like Macedonia are asked to implement EU decision more faithfully than member states.