In her welcoming address, Professor Mileva Gjurovska, President of the European Movement of North Macedonia said „Since the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in 2001, the Republic of North Macedonia has expressed political and citizen will for EU membership, which we believe will not change in the next period and will be challenge for the new government. We, the citizens sincerely hope that the eurointegration process will be understood as a process of reforms that will help institutions to be fully in the service of the citizens, institutions which will be managed by the experts and which will be devoted to the public interest. The reforms should not be empty rhetoric in regards to the fight against corruption and organized crime, but reality that comes out of the laws and is being effective through the practice of the stakeholders. We expect that the defects of the system will be fixed“.
The official representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Daniel Braun at the opening of the event pointed out that Konrad Adenauer is one of the founders of the European Union. „Konrad Adenauer Foundation follows his tradition and in that spirit works for support of the European integration. We have war in Europe for more than two years. That is why it is essential for all of us that stand for freedom, democracy and peace to be united“.
Deputy Head of EU Delegation to North Macedonia, Ben Nupnau pointed out that EU wants to bring Western Balkans closer and quicker to EU in order to strengthen joint security and promote prosperity. „The project of EU is not complete without you. We say all the time that the success towards integration is shared responsibility. Part of the responsibility that belongs to North Macedonia concerns the field of reforms, mainly essential areas such as rule of law and human rights. All this increases the economic capacity and resilience. It is hard but it will be useful. It will encourage the trust of the citizens that the future is better. Proper reforms should be undertaken. Member states have brought their plan not only for the Western Balkans to be integrated towards the unified market, but also for the EU membership“, said Nupnau.
The President of the country, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, in her address said “We have always historically, geographically and culturally been part of Europe. That is why I say that we do not speak for eurointegration, but for reunification. I expect that EU will not forget the logic and philosophy of the enlargement because this is what it makes it vital, irreplaceable. We have the perception of ourselves as Europeans, so it is logical that you will be treated like Europeans. I do not see this treatment through the EU rhetoric but through EU logic in terms of rule of law, competitive economy, independent judiciary, competent administration, something that unites”.
Talking about the EU membership, the president Siljanovska Davkova pointed out that it is necessary to start from the essential and serious reforms because we do not have other way out. „Now it is not only the homogenization and harmonization criteria, but implementation. EU must respond properly. If you are candidate from 2005, and today we are 2024 I am afraid that sometimes this waiting looks like the one of мr. Godo and I do not want to believe in such a thing“, Siljanovska Davkova stated, emphasizing that the countries of the region should cooperate and support each other.
After the official opening of the event and the key note speech of the president, the panel discussion began on the topic "The European Union as a challenge and the challenges of the EU: Europe 74 years since the Schuman Declaration" which was moderated by Katerina Sinadinovska, Editor of the TV magazine "Agenda 35".
During the discussion, the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Petra Drexler, said that she was glad that no one had given up waiting for the EU. „Trust is needed. I understand that in such a long accession process sometimes the trust suffers. I also wonder why the process of integration is not being always understood as a process of reforms. The basis for EU membership is process of reforms. This means that the country which is in accession must be ready to join other countries. The institutions of the state must work effectively, to work successfully, rule of law to be obtained and the corruption to be successfully overcome. Without such reforms united Europe can not exist“, ambassador Drexler stated.
The ambassador of Slovak Republic, Henrik Markus stated that his country is strong supporter of the region. EU membership, according to him is a joint project for which joint work is needed and that North Macedonia should not be left on its own to solve the problems.
Vice-President of VMRO-DPMNE and Mayor of Aerodrom, Timco Mucunski spoke about the Growth plan for which he said that if wisely used, it will help for building of schools, kindergartens etc. „This is battle of generations, battle to confirm the values that were only declarative in the past and we will achieve this if we fulfill the expectations of the citizens who voted on the elections - fight against corruption, economic reforms, reforms in the administration.“ Mucunski said.
The MP, Oliver Spasovski from SDSM pointed out that unity should be achieved as political entities and as citizens and that a common concept should be made for what the citizens expect.
Vice-President of DUI, the MP Arber Ademi said that concrete actions and fulfillment of concrete tasks should be done to show our commitment for EU. „We do not have to be for EU only declarative. The task is clear-change of the Constitution“, Ademi stated.
The representative of the Coalition “VLEN” and Mayor of Gostivar, Arben Taravari in his address within the panel discussion he said „We have spent long period in the past 20 years speaking that we want to be part of the European family, but what we have done for it. We have done so little European things to show that we sincerely would like to be there. Over one third of the citizens left because of the lack of trust in institutions. First, we should return the trust in the institutions of the system and second we should secure the rule of law. Let’s not speak to much, but to do a lot”, Taravari pointed out.
Within the framework of the event, the European movement in the Republic of North Macedonia awarded the current Head of the EU Delegation, David Geer, a plaque for his contribution to the European integration process, and the opera artist, Blagoj Nacoski, was chosen as the European Person for 2023.
In the second part of the event, a Youth Club was held on the topic “Young people and democratic values: Do we want, can we be and how to be an active citizen?”, in frame of which an Oratory Competition, Youth Debate as well as EU Knowledge Quiz were held.
Eva Neshkoska from the University “St. Kliment Ohridski” - Bitola has won the first place at the oratory competition, the second place was awarded to Antonio Chonevski also from the University “St. Kliment Ohridski” - Bitola and the third place was shared among Amina Gafuri from the South East European University from Tetovo and Iskra Postolova from the University “Goce Delcev” in Štip.
The first and second place in the EU Knowledge Quiz went to Aleksej Stojanovic and Ivan Hristov from Rade Jovčevski - Korčagin High School and third place went to Marin Ivceski from the NOVA International School Skopje.
