Zoran Zaev, North Macedonia's Prime Minister, demanded an early vote in his country after the European Union failed to agree on a date for the opening of the accession negotiations with Skopje, N1 reported.

 Zaev did not resign, as some media speculated he would, but told a news conference he wanted early elections as soon as possible.

He added that a date for the vote would be agreed on Sunday, during the meeting of all major parties, ruling and opposition, with the country's President  Stevo Pendarkovski.

 “I'm Zoran Zaev. I can be a mayor, prime minister, but above all, I'm a man and Brussels decision left me with bitterness. All options are on the table. But, I have said I have no right to give up the struggle. People will decide whether they will give me a new mandate to continue along this road. Everything else is a dead-end,” Zaev said.

He added Europe didn't fulfil what it promised, and according to him, imposed a great injustice on North Macedonia.”I'm disappointed and embittered,” Zaev told reporters.

Earlier in the day, he tweeted that “your opinion is needed now. There is no time to lose. An early election should be called soon. Elections as soon as possible.”

The EU member states’ leaders failed to set a date for the start of talks with North Macedonia and Albania, nor did they agree on at least a positive message they would send to Skopje and Tirana instead.