Visiting SDP BiH: Zoran Zaev is the new Prime Minister of Macedonia

The President of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) Zoran Zaev is visiting the Social Democratic Party of BiH (SDP BiH) in Sarajevo today, where he met with president Nermin Nikšić and the leadership of this party, writes Patria.

Zaev told a press conference that he is happy to be in Sarajevo, with a sister party, and that he is glad to be able to exchange positive and valuable experiences with the members of SDP BiH and that he has something to learn from BiH.  

Zaev said that Macedonia, like BiH, is a multi-ethnic state and that these values must be utilized.
Zaev confirmed that SDSM will soon form a government in Macedonia. Zaev confirmed that the negotiations on forming the Macedonian government are in the final phase and that he will be the new Macedonian prime minister.

- In 10 to 15 days, Macedonia will have a new government led by social democrats. The process of obtaining signatures for the formation of the new government is in the final phase, and we only need to agree on who will take which portfolios, and all substantive issues have been agreed upon - said Zaev.

The president of SDP BiH, Nermin Nikšić, announced that Bosnia and Herzegovina will host a regional meeting of presidents of social democratic parties from the region in the autumn. With this meeting, Nikšić added, social democrats will show that cooperation is possible without hypocrisy, and that "normal people live in these our regions", writes Patria.

Zaev also said that the opposition led by Nikola Gruevski is announcing protests even though they don't know why. He believes they will succeed in finding a solution with the Greeks regarding the name of the disputed territory. Zaev said he hopes the EU will open its doors wide to the Western Balkan countries.

- Macedonia has no alternative but the European Union and NATO. We will work on the independence of the judiciary, media, and institutions, which have so far been under the control of political parties.

Zaev said that Macedonia is facing the departure of mostly young people and that this trend needs to be stopped.