Delphi, 7 April 2022 (MIA) – It is very important, not only for North Macedonia but also for the entire region, especially now with the developments in Ukraine, all integration  processes to continue, the EU messages to turn into action, and for the EU to keep its promise of European perspective of the region, Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska said Thursday during the panel discussion “Security Issues in the Western Balkans” held within 7th Delphi Economic Forum taking place April 6-9 in Greece. “We may be repeating the messages, we are repeating ourselves in what we are saying, but with the situation in Ukraine, the logic is that our calls need to be turned into action. And certainly the integration of North Macedonia into the EU is one of the actions that need to be taken,” Petrovska said, according to the MIA’s Athens correspondent. Speaking about North Macedonia’s EU perspective, Petrovska said that integration is hindered because of the dispute with Bulgaria but added that there is an excellent cooperation and communication with the Bulgarian Government and there is a will from our side on reaching a solution. During the panel discussion, Minister Petrovska reiterated that it is necessary for all the Balkan countries to have clear European and Euro-Atlantic perspective something that “will further promote the strengthening of democratic values and processes in the region and will be a catalyst for substantial reforms in our societies.” She voiced hope that EU will be able to take a step forward in this direction and the countries would be encouraged to pursue reforms despite obstacles. Clear messages as well as actions are necessary, Minister Petrovska said, adding that reforms are not only political, but refer to certain areas as human rights, democratic norms, etc. Asked by moderator of the panel discussion, the professor Ioannis Armakolas, whether North Macedonia is doing enough in the reform process, Minister Petrovska made a comparison of the country’s progress for the period from 2017 until present day, whereat she underscored that from the state with seriously compromised institutions especially after wiretapping affair, it is now a member of NATO, adding that this membership does not only mean political will, but also implementation of painful and comprehensive reforms, particularly in the intelligence sector. She also underscored that the start of EU accession talks "will bring greater, positive pressure on institutions" regarding reforms. In relation to the changes in public opinion in the country concerning the European perspective, Minister Petrovska explained that the reason for this is that there are obstacles that are actually not related to EU criteria. Minister Petrovska said that EU membership is an "investment in the future", and from this point of view, they see the "investment in the Prespa Agreement", because "if we had not signed it, if we did not have a vision for a secure region, we would not be so comfortable today, after what is happening in Ukraine. She underlined that after the invasion of Ukraine, the question arises in our country as to whether we are safe, and the answer is yes, because we are a NATO member, a membership that does not only includes a political but also a security aspect. Regarding Russia, she underlined that there are various activities, which are focused not only on our country but also on other Western Balkan countries. Defence Minister Petrovska concluded the address with three messages: "message of unity, determination and solidarity." At a panel discussion on security issues in the region, Petrovska discussed with Klaus Whittmann, lecturer in Contemporary History at Potsdam University in Germany, and members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre, Mladen Ivanic and Petar Stojanov. Later in the day, at the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum, Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska will hold a bilateral meeting with her Greek counterpart Nikos Panagiotopoulos.