Brussels, 2 December 2024 (MIA) - By allowing bilateral issues to dominate the EU accession process, we risk turning this mechanism into a tool of division, rather than one of unity, said Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski in his remarks before members of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on Monday.

"Bulgaria's continued use of the veto in our EU accession process is a particularly painful roadblock. It not only stalls our progress but also sends a disheartening signal about the state of European solidarity and mutual respect," said Mucunski.

He said these policies and actions in recent years have fostered mistrust between our nations, undermining the very fabric of goodneighborly relations and the deep ties built over generations.

"Let me be clear - our nation and government remain committed to dialogue and reconciliation. We are ready to engage in good faith to seek solutions that honor the past while building a better future. But this must be a shared effort. Progress cannot come from unilateral demands or ultimatums, it requires mutual respect understanding and courage from both sides. We urge Bulgaria to join us in this effort, so that we can overcome these challenges together and build a relationship that reflects the true spirit of European partnership," said Mucunski.

The FM said that North Macedonia remains steadfast in its commitment to EU membership, which is not only a political ambition but a deeply transformative process as the heart of the Government's agenda, focused on the critical reforms and the rule of law, public administration and economic governance, adding these efforts are not only about ticking boxes for EU benchmarks, but about creating a society that works better for its people, a society that embodies the values shared with Europe.

"I stand before you today as the representative of a nation that has walked an extraordinary path, one marked by great sacrifice and unyielding resilience, all in the name of our European future. We are a country that has changed its flag, amended its Constitution several times, and even altered its very name. These were not easy choices, they went to the heart of who we are as a people, touching our identity and history. But we made this sacrifices because we were encouraged to believe in the European promise, we were persuaded to the path of dialogue and compromise, that they would lead to a brighter future for our citizens, as part of the European family," said Mucunski.

When these monumental changes were made, he added, the voices from outside, those who encouraged us, praised them as examples of courage, but what followed was not the fulfillment of these promises.

"Every time we remove one obstacle, another one emerges - unfair, unexpected and profoundly discouraging. We resolved the decades-long issue with Greece through the Prespa Agreement, a move hailed by some as triumph of diplomacy, but as soon as that chapter closed, another roadblock appeared, unrelated to our reforms, our progress or our readiness to join the European Union," said Mucunski.

According to him, these shifting goalposts are not just disheartening, they erode the trust in the process itself and make it harder for the citizens to believe that their sacrifices will ever lead to the future they were promised.

"We have aligned our policies with the EU's Acquis, we have adopted the Growth Plan Reform Agenda, and signed a security and defense partnership with the European Union. We are nation that is and will continue to be aligned fully with the EU common foreign and security policy. Through these actions we are proving that our nation is not waiting for membership to be a reliable partner, we are already acting as one," noted Mucunski.

The FM said the European Parliament has always been a beacon of hope for candidate countries and its advocacy for enlargement is a reminder that the EU is not a closed club but a living project that grows stronger with every new member.

"The next five years will define the future of enlargement. Clear timelines, tangible progress and political courage are required. Allocating enlargement in the next multinational financial framework would send a powerful signal inspiring candidate-countries to continue their reforms and efforts. Enlargement is not just a strategic necessity, it is a moral imperative. It is about fulfilling Europe's promise to be a Union of values and shared interests, not just a Union of geography," said Mucunski.

He added that in 2025 the country would mark 20 years since becoming an EU candidate-country, years of reforms, sacrifice and standing at the door and waiting for it to open.

"But today I speak not of despair but of hope. I speak for a nation that still believes in the European dream, a nation ready to meet every challenge, fulfill every obligation and contribute to a stronger union. We are asking the European Union to match our determination with clarity, fairness and courage. The Macedonian people have faced countless challenges and sacrifices on our long journey towards European integration, yet we remain unbroken, standing tall, with unshaken hope and unyielding faith in a brighter future. Our identity forged through centuries of struggle and perseverance is deeply rooted in the values of freedom, solidarity and unity, values that define Europe itself," said Mucunski.

We are not European, he stressed, because of a formal decision or a border on a map, but because of who we are, because of the courage in our hearts, the pride in our heritage and the dreams we carry for generations to come, and whether the EU opens its doors today or tomorrow, our nation's place in the European family is undeniable.

"Let us transform this moment of challenge into opportunity, hesitation into action and doubt into trust. Together we can make enlargement a success story for Europe and for generations to come," concluded Mucunski and thanked the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for their support on the European path based on the implementation of reforms and meeting of membership criteria.

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