The EU should be open and honest with candidate countries and open its doors if they have met all the conditions, said former Turkish Foreign Minister and Head of the Turkish Delegation to NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, emphasizing that the enlargement process must be based only on fulfilled conditions, without additional political demands.
Çavuşoğlu pointed this out at the Dialogue for Unity and Peace 2026, international conference held in Skopje, where former heads of state, ministers, diplomats, university professors, researchers, representatives of international organizations, business leaders and young people from Europe and Asia are participating.
He also referred to North Macedonia’s EU integration process in his address.
“Macedonia was asked to change its flag, its name, and now they are asked to accept that they are not Macedonians. This is unprecedented and contrary to the fundamental values of the EU,” Çavuşoğlu said.
The former Turkish FM assesses that such additional conditions outside the negotiation chapters are ‘unfair and cruel’ towards the country and its citizens.
Çavuşoğlu stresses that Turkey is in favor of cooperation and against new divisions in the Balkans, as well as remaining a supporter of regional stability.
He also discussed NATO’s role and the need for broader European engagement.
“NATO’s presence will continue to be crucial for peace and stability in the region, but not everything should be expected from the United States alone, European allies should also be more active,” Çavuşoğlu underscored.
