Brussels, 8 November 2023 (MIA) - Authorities in North Macedonia have continued to demonstrate and declare in public their commitment for progress on the European path, and now that the country has started the process of accession negotiations, it has to speed up the pace of reforms related to EU membership, said European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi while presenting the 2023 Enlargement Package and the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans before members of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

"The Parliament and the Government promote the priority implementation of the relevant constitutional amendments. We hope that all sides will support them, so the country can move forward," said Commissioner Varhelyi and added that adoption of the amendments is the country's sovereign decision that would further enhance fundamental rights.

According to him, the Criminal Code amendments relating to a number of high-level corruption cases have caused concern.

"Strengthening of the trust in the judiciary and countering corruption, including through solid investigations, prosecution and final judgments in high-level corruption cases is of key importance," added Varhelyi.

Regarding the screening process, the Commissioner said it is processing without any hindrances and the country's authorities have demonstrated a high degree of commitment in its realization.

In his address, Varhelyi said the European Commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the country reaches the required degree of alignment with membership criteria.

"We also recommend giving Georgia a candidate status, recognizing the steps that the country has undertaken," noted Varhelyi.

He also referred to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which goal is to provide stimulus to the countries in the area over the coming years, for the purpose of reducing the socio-economic gap between them and EU member-states by the end of the decade.

"We want to gradually integrate the Western Balkans into the EU Single Market before its full-fledged membership in the Union," said Varhelyi and added that the plan would help regional countries to speed up fundamental reforms, including those related to the rule of law and democracy, attraction of private investments, promotion of sustainable economic growth and reducing pollution.

"In short, the Growth Plan will create the required circumstances for our regional partners to become Union members," concluded Varhelyi.

Photo: MIA archive