Skopje, 20 April 2023 (MIA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani held a thematic briefing Thursday with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in North Macedonia over the third edition of the Prespa Forum Dialogue (PFD) titled “Widened European Family by 2023: Mission (Im) possible?”, which will be held, under the auspices of Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, on June 15-16 in Struga.

“The Forum, to be held during a time of war in Europe, is growing into our brand, which is proof that we are striving, as a country and as a region, to contribute to the promotion of dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation which are key elements in international relations and represent a cornerstone of peace and long-term security,” said Osmani.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talking about the central topic of PFD2023, FM Osmani noted that it is a motive for discussions about securing the future of the region within the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, focusing on EU enlargement within a predictable framework.

“The title is provocative, and we expect a fruitful and energetic debate, especially because we are witnessing a dramatic drop in public support of the EU integration process throughout the whole Western Balkan region. It is up to us to reverse that trend and to jointly seek concrete solutions aimed at an accelerated integration of the region within the EU, while at the same time focusing on its economic development and tangible benefits for our citizens. This is what I like to refer to as greater integration before EU membership,” said Osmani.

Ambassador Jovan Tegovski, Chairman of the PFD Working Group at the Ministry, spoke about the organizational, logistical and thematic aspects of the Forum, stating that high level sessions are being planned, as well as numerous thematic sessions, youth panels, and the holding of a meeting of the informal B6 initiative of foreign ministers and a meeting related to North Macedonia’s chairpersonship of the U.S. – Adriatic Charter (A5) regional initiative on the sidelines of the Forum.

The discussions at PFD2023 will focus on the following topics: Five years since the Prespa Agreement, peace and democracy, regional cooperation, security challenges in the Western Balkans, dialogue and reconciliation, EU enlargement process, the Franco-German EU reform initiative, migration, fight against corruption, foreign malign influences, international finance with the aspect of international restrictive measures, digitization.

Additionally, Osmani announced “The Road to 2030” pre-event, to be held in Skopje on May 8, with panel discussions of representatives from youth organizations, representatives of civil society organizations and think-tanks from the Balkans and beyond, which are actively monitoring the EU enlargement policy.