This year we must also have a political consensus with which we will ensure the continuity of the negotiation process with the EU. It is of key importance to have successful constitutional amendments and holding the second intergovernmental conference. This year must and should be a year of unification around the European perspective and where the country will move in the next ten years, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski pointed out today from the parliamentary rostrum, speaking about the course of the screening of the institutions by the European Commission.

As the Prime Minister emphasized, the screening process is progressing at the expected pace and we as a country must maintain this momentum during the entire process of negotiations with the EU.

"The bilateral screening for Cluster 1 - Fundamental values ​​has been completed, and the bilateral screening for Cluster 2 - Internal Market has begun with a screening meeting for Chapter 3 - Right of establishment and freedom to provide services, which took place on Monday in Brussels. So far, the comments from the EC have been excellent, said the Prime Minister.

Kovachevski, answering a question from MP Lidija Tasevska from SDSM, pointed out that we are working on harmonizing the legislation, but more importantly, on increasing competitiveness in order to speed up the transition to the single European market, for which this cluster is particularly important. It contains the compliance with the four basic freedoms, i.e. free movement of goods, services, people and capital.

"What is most important is that we follow the recommendations and indications of the Report of the European Commission and, in general, we have a moderate readiness for the chapters of this cluster. For a large part of the chapters, we have already started processes that will speed up the process such as the systemic law on labor relations, the integrated integration system for managing public finances, as part of the Law on Budgets that was passed some time ago, the Law on Accounting, which was recently adopted, the reorganization of the public sector," Kovacevski said.

The initial comments, as he said, from all involved parties are positive, but we will still get the key indications in the screening reports that we expect to be prepared as soon as possible by the EC and approved by the Council.

"In the next three to four months, we expect to receive the screening report for Cluster 1, and that will help us in preparing the roadmaps for the rule of law, for the reform of public administration and the functioning of democratic institutions," Prime Minister Kovacevski said.

When I say, he added, that the constitutional amendments are one of the decisions until full membership in the EU, here I mean above all the decisions that should be taken in this Assembly until full membership, which are of the same weight and refer to the rule of law , the reforms of public administration and the functioning of democratic institutions.

In addition, according to Kovachevski, within the framework of the roadmap for the rule of law, we will have to prepare an action plan for the protection of the rights of members of minorities and communities with measures for non-discrimination, the fight against hate speech and education.

In coordination with the EU, a reform plan is being prepared, and Kovacevski emphasized the help we receive from EU funds for the implementation of European reforms, as well as bilateral European aid.

"With the signing of the financial agreement for IPA 3 for 2021, which should take place at the end of January, in the amount of over 90 million euros, we are strengthening the reforms important for European integration, for the justice system, for anti-corruption policy, for the environment and for the green agenda "said the Prime Minister.

The government is determined to implement all necessary reforms in order to become a credible member of the European family.

"This is our historic opportunity that we have been waiting for a long time and now that we have the opportunity we must not miss it. "Negotiations with the EU are an opportunity to fundamentally transform and reform our country, to provide our citizens with European conditions for life and work here at home," said Kovacevski.