For us, the EU has been and remains not only a geographical, historical and shared cultural home, but also a key priority. I would like to point to the danger of the bilateralization of the enlargement process, especially when it is tied to identity-related issues that are not subject to negotiation. We are not asking for privileges, we are simply seeking the consistent implementation of the European law and respect for the historical and cultural identity of nations as well as for the dignity and integrity of individuals, Macedonian President GordanaSiljanovska-Davkova said during her visit to Ljubljana on Monday.
After meeting with her host, Slovenian President NatasaPircMusar, Siljanovska-Davkova noted that the EU personifies unity in diversity and remains an inspiring philosophy if it respects its values and principles.
“Regarding Macedonia’s European integration, I reiterated that the country remains committed. For me, the integration of the Western Balkans is not only a political, but also a security issue. Rhetoric is not enough to be resistant to foreign influences, because we all know that there is no political vacuum that someone will not try to fill or influence. And one more thing – the Balkans have always been a kind of litmus test for measuring the strength of important actors. We have a 100 percent harmonized foreign and security policy with the EU and we deserve, through the prism of the Copenhagen criteria, to show and prove maturity and interest in the European path,” stressedPresident Siljanovska-Davkova, expressing gratitude for the support that Macedonia receives from Slovenia on the EU path.
