Skopje, 2 November 2023 (MIA) – North Macedonia is a litmus test of the credibility of the European Union. Based on positions ranging from those of Juncker to those of von der Leyen a few days ago, I can empirically state that today Europe is facing a geopolitical awakening, which should ensure a geostrategic investment in the EU’s security, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani on Thursday at a ministers' conference in Berlin, hosted by the German Federal Foreign Office.

According to a press release from the Foreign Ministry, in his address, the Foreign Minister touched upon the concept of “More Integration before Membership”, as a way to ensure the country effectively keeps up with the economies of the EU member states, and bridge the gap that is currently growing instead of narrowing.

In that context, the Foreign Minister once again welcomed the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkan, presented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Regarding the debate over the need for internal reforms to ensure the countries are ready to be accepted as new members in the near future, Osmani said the reforms should be treated as complementary to the enlargement process, and not as prerequisites.

“Twenty years after the Thessaloniki agenda, it is necessary to change the current binary approach of all or nothing, where a country isn’t included in the EU policies or institutions, or doesn’t have access to the Union’s funds until it becomes a member. Instead of that, every candidate, by successfully implementing reforms and by aligning their policies with those of the EU, should progress at their own pace, through gradual integration,” said Osmani.

The Minister, according to the MFA, addressed the first section of the conference alongside his German, Slovenian and Ukrainian counterparts – Annalena Baerbock, Tanja Fajon, and Dmytro Kuleba.

The conference, which aim is exchange on the readiness of the EU to enlarge and the future members to join, is taking place ahead of the release of the European Commission Enlargement Package and the countries' progress reports, which will give recommendations on specific steps to be taken by the European Council in December.

At the sidelines of the event, Osmani will meet colleagues from EU and the region, said the MFA.

Photo: MFA