Skopje

Amidst the political fervor preceding the upcoming parliamentary elections in North Macedonia on May 8, VMRO-DPMNE, the main opposition party, has proposed a postponement of constitutional changes regarding the inclusion of Bulgarians. The announcement came from Timco Mucunski, deputy chairman of VMRO-DPMNE, during the presentation of the party's program for the impending elections.

Political statements originating from Skopje regarding the potential integration of Macedonians into the Bulgarian constitution have ignited a diplomatic dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

On the eve of the summit, Vui assessed that connecting economies, removing obstacles and progressing towards a single market are "big goals that lead to the essential development" of Serbia and the region and a better future for all citizens.

Less than 24 hours after the UN Security Council session, it was announced that Albin Kurti will travel to Skopje for a meeting with Dragan Djilas.

SKOPJE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the weekend he was not particularly interested in what recommendations the European Parliament would make in a resolution on Serbia.

Vucic was speaking to Serbian reporters in Skopje after Saturday's St Sava Day event in the North Macedonian capital.

The EP is due to vote on a resolution on Serbia on February 8.

"I am not afraid to say that the Macedonians are our closest people, we have no closer people. And I clearly want to say that we do not want anything from North Macedonia. We have no strings attached and expect nothing from you. We only want to build even closer and better relations. We are not asking you to change your constitution, that is your internal business.

President Vui was welcomed by Bishop Pahomije of Vranje and mother Jelena, abbess of the monastery of the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon.
"Great sanctuary, it's beautiful here," said Vui.

SKOPJE - In an 11-point joint statement adopted on Monday at a Skopje summit titled The Growth Plan: Western Balkans Meets EU, Western Balkan leaders underscore the "paramount significance of cooperation within the region" and note that an EU Growth Plan represents a "new opportunity to promote the economic and social convergence of our region with the European Union."

Leaders of the six Western Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, met on Monday in Skopje, North Macedonia to discuss reforms needed to access the European Union growth plan presented last October.

SKOPJE - Two protocols that will enable the establishment of a free labour market in Open Balkan member states - Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania - were signed in Skopje on Monday.