Skopje, 24 October 2024 (MIA) - We have a very clear goal in sight, and this is to open the 'Fundamentals' cluster as soon as possible. We are almost there, we know it's about the constitutional change that your country committed to implement. Now we need joint effort, cooperation and dialogue. I hope that all political forces in the country will come together to take this decisive step forward and I am convinced, like you, that we can overcome the obstacles that are still there, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Thursday.

"Dear Hristijan, rest assured that enlargement will remain a top priority for the European Commission in the next five years. We now have all the necessary tools and instruments in place to make this happen," said von der Leyen.

The EC President said North Macedonia has come a long way and shown determination on every step.

"I want to praise North Macedonia and pay tribute to the country and its people. Now the work must continue," said von der Leyen.

She also paid tribute to the country's 100-percent alignment with EU's foreign and security policy and its support to Ukraine, while also referring to the benefits of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

"It is our common roadmap to bring the economies of the Western Balkans closer to ours and gradually integrate our economies. You know the approach. We open the door of our European Single Market in specific sectors, to companies, for example, from North Macedonia. In turn, you will implement reforms to have a level playing field. And these reforms are accompanied by additional investments by the European Union in Macedonia. It has been a year now since we started, and I must say the Western Balkans have delivered and have their reform agenda ready. So does North Macedonia. North Macedonia has done a great job. Your Reform Agenda is excellent. Now we should be able to start with a pre-financing of EUR 52 million by the end of the year. Overall, North Macedonia will receive more than EUR 750 million under the Growth Plan," said von der Leyen.

She noted that the Growth Plan would deliver very concrete results for the people, such as the country becoming part of the Single Euro Payments Area as of next year, which means that transfers of money between North Macedonia and the European Union will be faster, more secure and free, benefiting both citizens and businesses.

The EC President also referred to the common Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, which has already mobilised EUR 1.7 billion of investment in North Macedonia, and it will focus on the clean energy transition

"As you know, in the European Union we have committed to be climate neutral by 2050. So, it is very important that our Western Balkan partners join us on this journey. And here in North Macedonia, renewables account for a quarter of power generation. So we are working on projects to boost the renewables capacity. We have the Oslomej and Bitola solar power plants for example, as well as the Bogdanci wind park. We are also investing in clean transport for better connectivity across the region and with Europe. This indeed includes the very important project of Railway Corridor VIII, connecting you with Albania to the West and with Bulgaria to the East. It also includes Corridor X, running from Greece to Budapest and crossing your entire country. These investments will turn North Macedonia into a key transport hub. This will have huge benefits for the citizens of North Macedonia," said von der Leyen.

Regarding cooperation on border protection, she said North Macedonia is the fifth country outside the European Union to host a Frontex joint operation team, with more than 100 European border guards supporting local authorities to carry out the checks and surveillance over the past couple of years.

"For us it is so important, because one day, the borders of North Macedonia will become the external borders of the European Union. So we have to prepare now to get ready for that common future," said von der Leyen.

She also touched upon the cooperation in disaster response and said the EU is extending to the Western Balkan partners the very same solidarity measures that the Union has inside.

"We activated the Civil Protection Mechanism twice for North Macedonia over the summer. We mobilised six aircraft and three helicopters, provided by the European Member States and Serbia. Because this is basically what it means to be a good neighbour, a partner and a future member of the European Union," noted von der Leyen.

She also recalled on her visit three years ago and the celebration of North Macedonia's 30th anniversary.

"I met young people on that occasion. And it was heartwarming, we know that, how much they are aspiring and longing for their common future – the young people in the European Union, in the Western Balkans, in North Macedonia. I think the young people would never forgive us if we did not rise to the challenge. So we are committed to deliver in our generation and to ensure that North Macedonia is part of our European Union," underlined von der Leyen.

PM Mickoski said the Government highly values the EC President's commitment regarding the country's Euro-integration path, expecting the Union to extend its support along this way while respecting the people's position.

"Amid these altered geopolitical developments across the globe, our country continues to be a stable, secure and committed partner of the EU. Nevertheless, we expect the EU to help us in finding ways on how to continue our European integration path, while at the same time considering the legitimate positions of our citizens they would not come across future demands that deeply oppose the ideas on which the EU rests. We expect the European Union to recognize our progress and continue to provide support in this process," said Mickoski.

We believe, he added, in the principle of fairness and merit, and we believe our continued efforts will be properly validated.

"Our goal is clear, but the path to it requires joint efforts. Cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding are of essential significance. We are convinced that we can overcome all obstacles and build a better future for our citizens. We eagerly await our cooperation to continue so that we speed up our path to full-fledged membership," said Mickoski.

Photo: MIA