Tetovo, 6 October 2023 (MIA) - Campaign "We Are Europe" led by Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj paid a visit to Tetovo on Friday, focusing on EU membership and youth as the country's progressive future.

Deputy PM Marichikj said youth represents the society's progress, noting it is European for young people to be the champions of new and fresh ideas.

"We have to take tough decisions just because of the youth, making the final breakthrough towards the EU membership. Because young people want us to take the maximum from the opportunity created by the geopolitical moment we find ourselves in. Young people are the ones who perceive the EU as a stable and desired partner. That is why we are obligated to be a partner in ensuring the European future. It is not us who are prepared to hold the youth's future hostage due to own political ideas or lack of political awareness. Delay is a risk we cannot afford to take, because it leads to isolation and new uncertainty. Blockades can only strengthen Euro-skepticism and give power to anti-European blocs. This is not the path we and our young people want to take," said Marichikj.

Minister of Education and Science Jeton Shaqiri said major reforms have been implemented in the field, including new curricula, new textbooks, improved school labs, increased salaries for teachers, reconstruction of 150 schools, construction of 10 schools and 43 sports halls.

"Let's bring the benefits of EU membership closer, improving the citizens' lives. We are gradually making progress and I am certain we will join the EU as a full-fledged member during this decade. EU's support will continue and we need political unity to make the final steps, through the constitutional changes as the key requirement," said Shaqiri.

Minister of Information Society and Administration Azir Aliu said young people know more languages, think critically, innovate, create. 

"We have values but no EU membership. In order to join the EU we need better infrastructure, we need to create an eco-system for innovations, for start-ups and spin-offs, together with the EU," said Aliu.

Italian Ambassador Andrea Silvestri said he was one of the first students to take part in the Erasmus programme, which included about 3,200 students in its initial years, and now the number exceeds 300,000.

"Italy uses many of the benefits of the common market, with 60 percent of our exports ending up there. GDP has increased, as have salaries of our citizens, as a result of the common and structural funds offered by the EU. Europe is not only about money but about fostering values," said Ambassador Silvestri.

Photo: MIA