Neglect not to block the deal

President George Ivanov's stance against the omnes erga should not affect whether the final solution is on the table, former constitutional judge Trendafil Ivanovski estimates.

According to the Constitution, linking international and bilateral agreements is an obligation by Ivanov, but the government has that right.

The president of the state as a body responsible for implementing the Constitution and laws should assess the interests of the state. In concrete cases, he may formally reject the agreement, but he cannot refuse the international agreement if the government links it. He cannot or dare deny the existence of such an international agreement”, Ivanovski said.

Tie international agreements are subject to ratification, and this is done by the Parliament. If the law -- that is, ratification of the agreement is approved by a two-thirds majority -- there are no formal elements for President Ivanov to object. But here again, it may be that Ivanov will not sign the decree for declaring the agreement with Greece, as was the case with the Assembly Law of Languages.

“If the president wants to prevent or continue this game by not signing the decree to declare the law, he would be irresponsible and would constitute a violation of the rule of law. If we allow ourselves as a state, that those international agreements fall with such a formal act, that no decree be signed for proclamation, or that other formal obstacles are found, I think no one will accept us in the international community or other countries, as a legal subject responsible or as a state of”, says Ivanovski.

He hopes the president will not prevent the process, but the government will also make accounts for preserving state identity.