Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels today will vote the resolution on Macedonia, reports MIA from European capital. However, the Rapporteur on Macedonia, Richard Howitt has been under pressure after last night’s debate in the European Parliament to discard parts of his own compromise amendment, which required introduction of bilingualism in the country and the existence of some kind of ultra-nationalism.
In the brief interview for MIA ahead of today’s vote, Howitt explains the indicated amendments and what can be expected for ultimately finding resolution in Macedonia, which next month will be voted in the plenary session in Strasbourg by all MEPs.
Why you made so many changes in terms of your proposed resolution? This is especially true as in your initial text words caused confusion, especially as the night’s compromise amendment required the introduction of bilingualism and it was mentioned ultra-nationalism.
- There are three points. First, there was a strict limit of words in EP, and the questions I wanted to write for was not possible to put in the original text. It is completely normal for Rapporteur to add what he want to say the amendments and some of them were used to boast what municipalities in the country are doing in fighting against corruption and where there is progress, including civil society groups. There was no space in the original presentation of the proposal for the numerous positive statements, simply because of bureaucratic administrative rules of the EP. I just kept them to later to deliver them in the amendments.
Secondly, of course that these were compromise amendments and they are new, as they are response to more than 170 different amendments submitted by my colleagues. Of course, they have included discussion on sensitive issues. All I want to say is that there was unanimous agreement among the political groups in the European Parliament, including myself as Rapporteur with the shadow Rapporteurs from other groups in the EP and I do not believe that the intention of all compromise amendments was to create confusion and provocation of any kind.
Third, the specific points were raised and discussed at yesterday’s hearing AFET. The bilingualism, it is promoting the idea without coercion. We just say something like that should be considered. It is not reason to cause some sort of confusion in the country. I stand behind that text is clear and misinterpreted. Similarly, with ultra-nationalism. The text is extremely clear, it in no way relates to the country or someone in the country, but refers to the principles of the policy of enlargement, and I stand behind that word and if someone deliberately misinterprets it do not provide service to the country.
But, you do not use such words when it comes to resolutions for Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, where as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the EP you could have done the same through amendments? Especially when it comes to “ultra-nationalism”, given that there is no neo – fascist political party or such groups in Macedonia, which is not the case with the neighboring country! In addition, from yesterday’s hearing it was noticed that absolutely there is no unanimity among political groups and especially between you as Rapporteur with the shadow Rapporteurs, as many of them clearly demanded change of exactly the requirement for bilingualism and the word “ultra-nationalism”. Do you believe you were wrong with these words and suggestions?
- When asked why I used these words, the answer is that the group of “green” at EP gave suggestions. I have obligation as Rapporteur not to reject the proposals, but to read, to think and to put them in the text. In addition, if their proposal is correct and whether I had to put it in, yet it is their right and it is allowed by the democratic parliament. I already explained the bilingualism, while the ultra-nationalism, in my view, it will create more damage if you tell people in the country that nationalism is wrong and I think will create greater potential for confusion among those people who express appropriate patriotism, appropriate pride in country, which can be called nationalism.
Therefore, you say clearly that there is no kind of ultra-nationalism in Macedonia.
- I do not blame anyone for ultra-nationalism! I have never done that, especially not with last night amendment and I hope I will never do it.
Will you propose the introduction or promotion of bilingualism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, in the EP resolutions for these countries, which you can do as member of AFET through amendment? Whether your intention is to promote bilingualism in all countries that have over ten percent minority or it is “exclusivity” for Macedonia, there is an impression that you gave this proposal at the request of the Albanians in the country. Macedonians are offended by it as they as majority community in the country are required to learn the minority language, rather than the other way around, the minority to learn the official language of the country!
- First, there is nothing in the text, and last night I pledged to hearing to all that rebelled against the word that without doubt sets an obligation or compulsion. I could not be clearer. It was never the intention and I have no intention that it should have bilingual education with coercion. As I said, this proposal was made by the “green” and they might come up with another proposal. All I know is that in many countries around the world, not only for the candidate countries for EU membership, there is encouragement for people to learn different languages among communities across the country. It is a suggestion, encouragement and nothing else.
You erased Macedonian language yourself by amendment to Resolution and you promote learning the Albanian language in Macedonia? Whether you will try to restore the use of the official language in the report of the European Parliament or the only adjective “Macedonian” stays over “Macedonian citizens”?
- I did not say where the adjective “Macedonian” would appear. It is not that I keep it as secret, but because I do not know the outcome of the voting. If my procedural text is passed, then adjective “Macedonian” will be part of it and I strongly expect that it will happen and I encourage my colleagues. I will sit down and try to find the best way to put it into text.
So, you definitely gave up of using “Macedonian language”?
- I cannot say in terms where exactly will be used the adjective “Macedonian” because I cannot predict the outcome of the voting, but my intention is clear.