European Union enlargement with the Western Balkans is not only an investment in regional stability, it is a strategic investment in Europe’s security, strength and future, Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said at the opening of conference “European Dialogues, European Legacy and Future”, held in Skopje on September 29-October 2.
FM Mucunski believes that young people from the Western Balkans have a key role in shaping Europe’s future.
“Today, enlargement is no longer only an investment in the region’s stability, it is Europe’s strategic investment in its own security, strength and future,” noted Mucunski, and added that EU membership remains the country’s strategic objective, while adding that the integration process should contribute to the strengthening of institutions and creating new opportunities for the citizens, not changing the national identity.
“The accession process should transform our society, strengthen our institutions, and create more opportunities for our citizens, not transform our national identity,” added the Macedonian FM.
According to Mucunski, the European perspective must remain credible, predictable, and merit-based, while the progress of candidates must depend on reforms and fulfillment of European criteria.