Struga, 16 June 2023 (MIA) - The young people in this region must not lose the sense of being European and must not feel less European than other European people. We all need each other, the EU needs us and we need the EU, especially in times like these, Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska told a youth panel discussion on "Modalities for the Enhancement of Good-neighbourly Relations & Regional Cooperation" at the 2023 Prespa Forum Dialogue in Struga on Friday. 

North Macedonia, she said, does everything to be good neighbors in the Balkans and partners in positive change that moves forward the Balkans and the entire world, and this is not always easy and is not always just. According to the Minister, cooperation and solidarity are truly the key point of humanity. 

"We really appreciate all the benefits from the Berlin Process for integration of the Western Balkan countries. We are very happy with the high-level support of the Open Balkan initiative, especially with young people. But what troubles me is that Euroscepticism is growing," said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

She mentioned positive examples of regional cooperation which, according to her, are not a substitution for the EU membership but show a good starting point and a good example that truly we can overcome borders, especially through culture, education and art. 

"Anyone who decreases the value of culture and art, then they are the ones who lose. We have Macedonian cultural centers in Tirana, Sofia, Istanbul, Zagreb and soon there will be one in Belgrade, which are true representations of our culture, and really show the cooperation we have in the countries where they are located. They are a center of our cultural workers, artists in those countries who wish to show their culture there," said the Culture Minister. 

Photo: Ministry of Culture