Skopje, 30 August 2023 (MIA) - Addressing Wednesday's public forum titled "EU for the Macedonian Economy" launching the “We Are Europe” campaign in Skopje, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said that in 2030, North Macedonia will be the first EU member state from the Western Balkans. 

Kovachevski said that European Council President, Charles Michel, has reiterated there is a concrete benchmark for the EU enlargement - 2030, and countries that implement their reforms faster will be the first to join the European Union in 2030.  

"At the beginning, I'd like to clear up three dilemmas: First, after a long time, the European Council President said in Bled and also told Slovenian media that there is a concrete benchmark for the European Union enlargement, which is 2030, and that is the year we say that North Macedonia will be ready," Kovachevski told the opening of the public forum.  

Commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron's statement about 'multi-speed Europe', Kovachevski said "this means that those who implement their reforms faster will be the first to join the European Union in 2030".  

The PM told the event in downtown Skopje that all the strategic decisions taken by the Government have a very clear goal, which is development of the economy, development of the private sector, new jobs and better paid jobs.

"The growth of wages and pensions, which are currently at the highest level since the existence of independent Macedonia, shows that the policies give results," said Kovachevski.  

He pointed to the increase in the number of employees, foreign and domestic investments, as well as the lowest unemployment rate and announced a new increase that will happen in September 2023 and again in March 2024.

According to Kovachevski, the positive effect is not only membership in the European Union, but also the accession process itself.

He said that the positive results from the Government's economic policy can be multiplied by continuing the European integration policies, noting that the EU has invested EUR 3.3 billion in non-refundable funds through grants and investments.

Joining the EU, Kovachevski said, further strengthens the positions of companies in the country and will open new trade perspectives, while increasing access to the European common market. 

"The EU and the United States are the richest and their GDP is 60 percent of the global economy and that's why everyone wants to live in the west, no one went to the east. That is why integration in the EU is better than isolation and looking for alternatives that are utopian," Kovachevski said. 

He shared statistical data on the progress of EU member states, and pointed out that the new members have 28 percent increased foreign direct investments annually after joining the EU.

"GDP increases after joining the EU. Higher wages, better paid jobs with European conditions and greater purchasing power," PM Kovachevski noted.   

He said that 80 percent of the country's exports end up in the EU, and 50 percent of the imports are from the EU.

"This is a historic chance for our economy, and we must not miss it. It will enable economic growth. There is no alternative for a higher standard of living. We now need responsibility for the country to move forward, instead of being isolated and with no plan for the future," the PM pointed out. 

Wednesday's event in Skopje launched the “We Are Europe” campaign organized by the Secretariat for European Affairs as part of the government's efforts to meet the country's strategic goal of joining the European Union.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi, Spanish Ambassador to the country José Luis Lozano García among others also addressed the forum. 

Government ministers, former PM Vlado Buchkovski, as well as citizens attended the event. 

As part of the “We Are Europe”  campaign, public forums will be organized in eight cities. They will cover multiple topics such as labor and social policy in Strumica, agriculture in Prilep, culture in Bitola, tourism and environment in Ohrid, youth in Tetovo, infrastructure in Shtip, and energy in Kumanovo.

Photo: MIA