Skopje, 1 June 2023 (MIA) - There is now an open door as never before, amid this geopolitical moment. European Union members are willing and ready for enlargement because this process is considered not as a need for candidate-states but a common need of both candidates and EU members, since the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Thursday.

EU enlargement was discussed during the working part of the Second European Political Community Summit in Moldova's Chisinau, with the EU once again demonstrating its readiness to open the door for new members.

"This mainly refers to us and Albania, which have to open the accession chapters after the end of the screening process. The EU supports the decisions we have to make as our task in the negotiating framework and the Union will do its part by unconditional opening of the chapters and clusters," PM Kovachevski told a press conference after the EPC Summit.

During the summit, Kovachevski received messages of support regarding North Macedonia's Euro-integration from French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. He also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked Kovachevski for North Macedonia's support to Kiev.

Summit discussions also touched upon the Serbia-Kosovo topic, with regional heads of state and government saying all countries in the area should abide by signed agreements.

"As we abide by the Ohrid Agreement, the Prespa Agreement, the Friendship Treaty, the EU Negotiating Framework, other countries in the region should stick to the agreements and their implementation, resulting in permanent peace and successful EU integration," added Kovachevski.

Asked about the Euro-skepticism, he said the Government is working on achievement of the country's goals.

"The enlargement issue was raised by the Albanian PM and myself and we discussed it with the European Council President and the French President, who also expressed their readiness. The European Commission President also said in her statement today that now is the time for North Macedonia to make the decisions and continue on its EU integration path," noted Kovachevski.

He also referred to von der Leyen's address at yesterday's GlobSec Bratislava Summit, in which she said ways are being found so that countries negotiating with the EU use benefits as members do, such as the cancellation of roaming charges between the Western Balkans and the EU.

"There are discussions for sectoral involvement for mutual benefit. This is not a replacement for the EU membership but opening of possibilities that will ensure increased mobility and promotion of our companies at the European market," underlined Kovachevski.