Brussels, 17 December 2025 (MIA) – It is good that the Western Balkans are in the European Union's sights, it is encouraging for the citizens in the region because it shows interest in our common future, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in a doorstep statement ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels on Wednesday. 

The Western Balkans, the PM pointed out, geographically belong to Europe and it stands to reason for the region to be integrated within the European Union.

"Our country has long deserved that, as our path began 25 years ago, but due to, I would say, artificial reasons, we still cannot be part of the European family," Mickoski stressed.

He noted that the Government is committed to delivering everything needed in the EU accession process, but not for the sake of the process itself, but, above all, for the sake of the Macedonian citizens, because they deserve it.

"This has been our steady work, and we will carry on with it. We expect that bilateral issues will not be our obstacle, but on the contrary, we expect support from our neighbours in this ambition of ours to join the European Union. And most importantly, we expect to be evaluated according to our achievements, and not according to bilateral issues," PM Mickoski added.

The main topics of the summit include the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans, gradual integration into the Union and the Growth Plan for the region, as well as foreign affairs, security and defence.

As announced, the summit will mark the importance of the political and economic relationship between the EU and Western Balkans partners, especially in the current geopolitical context and the need for ever-stronger ties between the EU and the Western Balkans.

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