Skopje, 15 November 2023 (MIA) - Romania has been and remains a supporter of North Macedonia's EU accession. Given the strategic importance of European integration for your country's future, Romania believes that only through joint commitment and a strong national consensus on the necessary reforms, North Macedonia will make the necessary decisions as soon as possible and speed up the path to the EU, Romanian Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu told a joint press conference with host Bujar Osmani on Wednesday.  

She commended the country's extraordinary efforts in the past years in implementing difficult reforms. The recent report released by the European Commission as part of the 2023 Enlargement Package confirms this, the Romanian FM said, voicing encouragement to continue with determination towards effectively opening the chapters as foreseen in the enlargement package.

"We urge you to seize this opportunity that has opened up for enlargement after Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The possibility of the country joining the EU is a credible process, a process in which everyone has an interest. It is of mutual interest for both North Macedonia and the EU. Relying on Romanian experience, I can say that regardless of all the difficulties on the path to the EU, all those efforts are worth it and pay off once you join the EU. The process of European integration has a transformative power, which affects the whole society. It also affects the citizens, and especially the young people," Odobescu said.  

FM Osmani said Wednesday's visit of his Romanian counterpart shows Romania's strong commitment as an EU member state to support North Macedonia's European integration. He pointed out that in less than two months, Romania marks 17 years since its accession to the Union and is an example of the benefits of the EU negotiations and membership, seen through concrete benefit for the citizens.  

"North Macedonia highly appreciates your support for our EU accession process, and we hope that North Macedonia will soon make the long-awaited and deserved step by adopting the constitutional amendments as soon as possible, as the only homework standing between us and the accelerated integration that is increasingly becoming an imperative for the EU amid the given geopolitical momentum. The opening of the clusters and the chapters as part of the accession process is of existential importance because it contributes to rapid economic development, and faster economic and social convergence with the EU countries. On the other hand, the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the possibility of joining the EU's single market are the instruments by which the EU achieves gradual integration or what we call more integration before EU membership," said Osmani. 

He pointed out that he and Minister Odobescu share the same view regarding the situation in the region and share the necessity of a strong focus in order to maintain peace, stability and prosperity as a key basis for benefits for everyone in our region.

"We appreciate Romania's presence, which is involved in strengthening the peacekeeping mission of KFOR in Kosovo, just as the Republic of North Macedonia," Osmani pointed out. 

Photo: MIA