No Euroscepticism In Macedonia, Vice PM Says

Naumovski made the comments in the wake of the fallout from a recent opinion poll, released by the Secretariat for European Affairs, SEA, that shows a seven per cent drop in support for Macedonia's EU membership bid among respondents compared to last year.
 
75.2 per cent of those queried support the country's EU membership, the survey showed.

Macedonian support for EU membership is well above the average support for the EU in some of the bloc's member states, Naumovski insisted while speaking to reporters on Wednesday. “Therefore, I cannot say that Macedonia is gripped by Euroscepticism. On the contrary, there is Euroenthusiasm and most people are aware of the benefits of the EU.”

Some two thirds of respondents in the survey- 66.5 per cent- said keeping their country's name is the most important priority. Only 26.2 per cent of those queried said that they see their country's entry into the EU and NATO as a top priority.

The results from SEA's poll shouldn't be taken out of context Naumovski said, arguing that it is legitimate to make a connection between people’s support for EU membership and the ongoing name row with Greece that is currently stalling this process.

“The role of the name dispute with Greece, as a bilateral issue that has been imposed, cannot be ignored in the EU integration process. If we try to sweep it under the rug, we won't meet our goal. It is clear that Macedonia's EU integration process at the moment is stalled due to the unilateral action of one EU country [Greece] in relation to the imposed name dispute. I don't see why we should be afraid of posing certain questions or revealing the answers,” Naumovski said.

Naumovski made the remarks yesterday while at a signing ceremony with the British Ambassador to Macedonia Andrew Key regarding an arrangement for support of Macedonia’s effort to build institutional capacity for future EU membership.

“I've heard about Euroscepticism in Britain, but not in Macedonia. I think that Macedonia's membership in the EU is both in the interest of the country and the EU. In Macedonia there is huge support and willingness for that objective. Therefore, it is in the country's interest to resume the reform process. We are here to provide support,” the ambassador said.

Insisting that Macedonia is better prepared for the start of EU accession talks than certain countries that are already part of the bloc, Naumovski reiterated that his country will continue to fulfill needed reforms and try to settle the open name issue with Greece.