Skopje, 1 March 2023 (MIA) — North Macedonia can count on the European Union’s commitment and support, according to EU Commissioner for Neighbouhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi in a video address to the 2nd Skopje Economic Forum organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and the Hellenicc Business Association. 

The union is working hard to help the region’s businesses and citizens gain new opportunities and to fulfill its promise for EU membership to the Western Balkans, Commissioner Várhelyi said.

At the forum focused on the region's prosperity in challenging times, he said the bloc supported the Western Balkans through its Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans launched two years ago. Some 40 projects have been given grants worth 1.8 billion euros, he noted.

These projects, the EU Commissioner said, boosted the growth and cooperation between the Western Balkans and the EU and should improve transport, digital and energy connections with the union. 

“These investments will push the region forward through job creation and growth,” Várhelyi said.

Mentioning Corridor 10, the railway corridor that connects the EU through Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia to Greece and the port of Thessaloniki, he said, “We are building green roads not only between countries, but also between our regions: the EU and the Western Balkans.”

Várhelyi also said the Berlin Process had helped the region take a major step forward last year.

“At last year’s Berlin Process summit,” the EU Enlargement chief said, “Western Balkan countries signed three mobility agreements. Now it is important to ratify and implement these three agreements so citizens can work and travel around the region as we can in the EU.”

Várhelyi’s address was followed by a video appearance by Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj. Other panelists include Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Martin Dvořák and EU Ambassador David Geer.

The forum was opened by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski. Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović have both confirmed their attendance. mr/