Struga, 15 June 2023 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski kicked off the 2023 Prespa Forum Dialogue on Thursday with a keynote address at the official opening session "Prespa Agreement Five Years on: Challenges Turned into Opportunities".

"With the Prespa Agreement and all the subsequent steps to date, we have restored faith in diplomacy, promoting open dialogue as a benefit. Thus, we showed an applicable and functional example of resolving crises that has a special meaning in today's geopolitical context of developments, for resolving similar challenges that the region and Europe are facing today," PM Kovachevski said.

Kovachevski noted that sustainable solutions are achieved at a table where dialogue is conducted, between leaders who have the political will to understand each other for the sake of their people and their country.

"The member states of the EU, NATO, the U.S., see North Macedonia today as a factor of stability and security in Europe. Because of all that, today we are realistically looking at 2030 as an achievable goal for the country's full-fledged EU membership," he pointed out. 

Kovacevski stressed that North Macedonia has shown that no sincere effort is in vain.

"And when I say there is proof, then the best proof is the Prespa Agreement, which was a solution to a bilateral dispute five years ago, and today is a model for perspectives for the future," Kovachevski told the official opening session on Thursday.

Looking at a bilateral level, Kovachevski added, Greece has become one of the most vocal supporters of North Macedonia's European perspectives. 

"Macedonian-Greek relations are on the upswing and trust between the states is at its highest ever. Our cooperation in the field of energy is concrete evidence of that. Procedures are ongoing and by the end of the year, the construction of a new gas pipeline between North Macedonia and Greece will begin, which will be connected to the new terminal in Alexandroupoli, Greece. This gas pipeline and this terminal will not only be intended for Greece and North Macedonia, but also for Kosovo, for Serbia, for the countries in the north, for Montenegro and Albania and for everyone who wants to join," said Kovachevski. 

Kovachevski noted that success does not lie in putting an end to challenges - in the region, in Europe, in the world, adding that it is unrealistic to expect to put an end to challenges, because challenges have always existed, they exist and will continue to exist, because development is based on them.

"Success lies in being able to turn challenges into opportunities together and continue on the path of progress. In that regard, North Macedonia is facing a new challenge, when everyone in the country needs to show responsibility for the country's European future and join the EU after joining NATO. I am also convinced, and I am working on achieving success. We have the best deal with the EU that we can get, which protects our Macedonian identity, our language, our culture, and no one must gamble with it," he said. 

He added that the Western Balkans has always needed the European Union, but today the European Union also needs the Western Balkans, particularl;y given the new geopolitical and security developments.

"This is a moment that our country must not miss and anyone who is responsible must not allow this chance to be missed," said Kovachevski.

He noted that North Macedonia has immediately and efficiently aligned itself fully with the EU's foreign policy regarding the war in Ukraine, and that has reminded us what it means to be united in democratic values.

"The other option is instability, risks and conflicts, which in today's time of hybrid threats, disinformation and fake news threatens European and world peace, and this must be clear to everyone here at home and in the region and in Europe. We have an obligation to show responsibility for our own role in preserving peace in Europe. And let's seize our deserved chance. Because geographically, culturally, historically we belong to Europe. Because our citizens deserve a European quality of life. Because our young people deserve to realize their dream of living in Europe, and that should be their native country," Kovachevski told the official opening of the Prespa Forum Dialogue in Struga. 

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia