It’s really important that the EU delivers on the promise it made to the region in Thessaloniki. The blockade of Macedonia’s European integration is an issue for the EU as well because it doesn’t only affect Macedonia’s future, but also the EU’s future in the Western Balkans, Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov told a panel discussion on Wednesday as part of the first Skopje Economic Forum.
“The promise Europe made to the Balkans in Thessaloniki in 2003, was reaffirmed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia and this year in Ljubljana. As Deputy PM, it’s getting harder for me to tell people that this is possible. The region is surrounded by countries that belong in Europe economically, politically, historically and culturally, and it’s important that we see real decisions and progress in delivering on the promises made in Thessaloniki. North Macedonia has no alternative to becoming a functional European democracy, followed by economic prosperity. We’re continue to implement reforms, something that we’re doing for us, but accession will help speed this process up. Regardless of whether we start accession negotiations, our path is clear – we’ll work on building a European democratic society,” Dimitrov said, commenting on the EU’s failure on Tuesday to start talks with North Macedonia and Albania.
He underlined that the blockade of North Macedonia’s European integration is an issue for the EU as well.
