Support for EU enlargement is strong, as is public support for EU membership. Macedonia is successfully implementing reforms, recording 4.3 percent economic growth in the second quarter, the third-highest rate in Europe. We are fully committed to and aligned with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski said at a Brussels panel on EU enlargement organized by the Friends of Europe think tank.
“As for reforms, we are generally doing well. The Growth Plan was mentioned; we have done everything that was asked of us. The economy is literally experiencing rapid growth. In the second quarter of this year, we recorded GDP growth of 4.3%, which is the third-highest in Europe. What is very important for my country is that we have political, economic, and inter-ethnic stability and cohesion, something we strove for in the past. When you look at the big picture, the country is moving in the right direction. We are fully committed to and aligned with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, not 80%, not 90%, but 100%. Unfortunately, the only reason we are not making progress is this veto from Bulgaria,” noted Nikoloski.
He pointed out that EU support for Macedonia is strong, and the visit of EC President Ursula von der Leyen to Skopje serves as a significant signal.
“Things are definitely changing now. Naturally, the situation regarding Ukraine and Moldova is aiding the entire enlargement process, and this opportunity should be seized. There is interest in the region. President von der Leyen is coming to Skopje, she has visited Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, and is now coming to Macedonia, which is an excellent signal. I hope a mechanism will be found that the European Commission can utilize to allow us to open accession negotiations. Outstanding issues with neighbors must be resolved one way or another, but I believe the atmosphere will be much more relaxed and positive if we begin the negotiations,” said Deputy PM Nikoloski.