Zaev for New York Times: I'm extremely afraid of the danger of an outbreak of war.

The light of Europe is our instruction. Now when these lights went off we're in the dark and who knows where we can go.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev issued this statement in an interview for the New York Times newspaper.

Following the annulment of the start of accession negotiations with the European Union, Prime Minister Zaev warned the resignations, with what agreement was reached on technical government and early elections in April next year.

Asked why he has taken such a dramatic step, he says there has been no solution.

If we didn't declare elections, nationalism would increase. I'm afraid of you”, Zaev says.

According to the paper, just two months ago, the leader of a small Balkan country was proud to walk, welcomed by world leaders, and praised by the first man of the United Nations for providing the rare spot of excellence, as well as a global problematic siege, which was also found on the Nobel Prize for Peace candidate list.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev sacrificed his political career and the future of his state for resolving the 30-year name problem with neighbouring Greece. With often heavy diplomacy and all expectations, he succeeded. But, as stands in his office in the capital, it is all seen so far, writes Mark Santora, co-ordinator of “In New York Times”, from Warsaw, responsible for Central and Eastern Europe.

“I'm breaking from inside”, Zaev says, in the interview.

With the name changing, according to the paper, it is expected that northern Macedonia will clear the way for accession towards the European Union. Last month, however, France vetoed the decision, calling for reforms for the EU enlargement process. This decision destabilised the government in Skopje and worse, as the paper says, threatened with fragile status in the region following the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

This personally destroyed me, though”, says Zaev for “Times”, expressing concern not only for itself and the state but also for the stability of the entire Western Balkan region.

Nationalism and radicalism can still gain power, Zaev says, and adds that there is still danger from internal conflict in states, but also new conflicts between states. / MIA