Skopje, 14 October 2023 (MIA) – The European Union must demonstrate greater care for the region. At the upcoming December summit, the European Council has the chance to adopt decisions for a faster integration of the Western Balkans, instead of postponing the issue until after the European elections, said President Stevo Pendarovski at the “Western Balkans’ Integration into the EU – Challenges and Perspectives” regional conference organized Saturday in Skopje by the Podgorica Club and the Universal Peace Federation.

According to Pendarovski, it is indisputable that by granting them a candidate status, the EU is providing symbolic support to Ukraine and Moldova at an exceptionally difficult time, and, he said, “this is good, however the Western Balkan doesn’t need political symbolism, but a concrete political decision.”

By basing its decisions on Ukraine and Moldova on geopolitical reasons instead of the traditional agenda of reforms and performances, according to the President, the EU is beginning to look like NATO. 

“If the EU really has ambitions to be a geopolitical player, then first it must complete and secure its European geopolitical area through the integration of the Western Balkans,” said Pendarovski.

The President stressed that the EU enlargement dynamics mustn’t be dependent on crises. He also pointed to current events in Kosovo and processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying they are a reminder that the open and sensitive issues which have the potential to destabilize the region, and through it the Union itself, mustn’t be overlooked.

The conference in Skopje is a part of a series of events related to peace and security in the Western Balkans organized in the past two years in cooperation between the Podgorica Club and Universal Peace Federation.

Photo: MIA