Tetovo, 21 February 2023 (MIA) - Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani took part Tuesday at a panel discussion on the new geopolitical developments and its impact on North Macedonia, organized by the European Policy Institute (EPI) at the Tetovo-based Southeast European University, referring to the importance of EU enlargement and the urgent need for fresh impetus in the Western Balkans' EU integration.

"Both sides should achieve concrete progress: the European Union to ensure more practical benefits and tangible results arising from the accession process, while the Western Balkans to undertake concrete activities in implementing the national reform plans and adoption of the EU standards. Regarding reforms within the EU accession and the U.S. Strategic Dialogue, these are complementary processes that will make North Macedonia a country with higher democratic capacities, increased trust in the judiciary and lower corruption levels compared to the current situation," said FM Osmani.

He recalled that for the first time on record, a country's minister has been engaged as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, whereas the state can contribute in generating a more positive spirit, and strengthening of dialogue in the OSCE area.

Osmani told reporters such events represent an excellent opportunity to listen to the civil society sector on issues of foreign policy and challenges to the country's positioning on the international political scene.

"Today, North Macedonia is a NATO member, chairs OSCE, negotiates with the EU. This is serious international positioning that, I believe, will increase our self-confidence, since people have lost it due to the turmoil that the country has gone through over the years. I think we are gradually bringing back this self-confidence in the people through this new, serious positioning and the country's image in global terms," said Osmani.

The event is part of project "Fostering Policy Analysis and Public Debate", supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in cooperation with the Centre for Deliberative Democracy from Stanford University.