Croatian politician Marijana Petir pointed out that Macedonia’s European future must not be held hostage by bilateral disputes.
“It was an honor to participate in the round table ‘Macedonia’s Path to the European Union and the Croatian Experience,’ alongside diplomats Vladimir Drobnjak and Emil Krstevski, Ambassador Zlatko Kramarić, and analyst Mircho Adamchevski. Macedonia has been waiting for the realization of its European perspective for 21 years. It has implemented numerous reforms and agreed to difficult compromises, including changing the country’s name, yet its European path remains blocked,” Petir noted.
She added that, during her time as a Member of the European Parliament, she founded and led the Friends of Macedonia group, advocating for the country’s European path, mutual understanding, and respect for the Macedonian identity.
“The European Union must not apply double standards. Bilateral issues must not serve as an obstacle to European integration, and national identity, language, and history must not be subject to political conditions. Macedonia is not asking for privileges, but for fair treatment. Croatia has been, and remains, a sincere friend to Macedonia,” said Petir.