North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova called on European powers to find a creative solution for her country's European integration, BGNES reported.

Asked about relations with Bulgaria, North Macedonian head of state stressed "the importance of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" because, in her opinion, there is no EU and UN without principles and values.

"If the solution is to be found in the principles and values of the UN Charter and the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, then both documents affirm the right to self-determination of every people. And it is well written there that the right to self-determination or the so-called Wilson Principle implies the right to determine one's name, flag, coat of arms, anthem, constitution, political system and the like. This is guaranteed to every nation. I strongly believe in principles and values, without them there would be neither the EU nor the UN. The Lisbon Treaty and the Convention on Fundamental Rights speak of respect for national and cultural identity, respect for dignity, integrity, respect for the Charter and other UN acts, respect for judicial decisions both those in Strasbourg and those that have been taken in history in The Hague," Siljanovska said during a visit to the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts /MANU/.

She argued that throughout its history the European Union has been very creative in accepting certain members and pointed to Bulgaria and Romania as examples.

"When Greece had to join the EU, the Parliament said no, the Commission said no and the Council said yes. And it was not wrong. It made an extraordinary move, namely to admit it to the Union in order to spread democracy. For other countries, especially in the Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria, very creative decisions were taken. So I leave it to the European leaders to find a creative solution to give us what they want every day for all countries. That means respect for identity, national, cultural, etc. Let us have the opportunity to prove that we do not understand the Copenhagen criteria like Hamlet, wandering around the Balkans, but want to apply them. That way we will really become closer. This means a 'debilateralisation' of enlargement, because today Europe needs unity. The need for Europe to identify with the EU has never been more urgent. We do not need to prove to anyone that historically, culturally, let alone geographically, we have always been part of Europe," Siljanovska added.She also welcomed the "increased diplomatic activity" of the government in Skopje towards the US, given the latest visit of Macedonian Prime Minister Christian Mitkoski to Washington.

"All of us who understand politics know that the US is based on a system of lobbying. Lobby groups in the US have the biggest influence on policy making. Rarely have we had the opportunity to get to know key actors and factors in American policy making. "This place may be a good place to strategize, and I welcome this activity," said the president of North Macedonia. | BGNES