The debate was opened by the President of the European Movement, Mileva Gjurovska, who in her welcoming address emphasized that this year is the 30th anniversary of the founding of this movement. She said that the European integration must continue, and emphasized that the Balkans Is not a periphery, but part of the completion of the project of a united Europe.
The official representative of KAS, Daniel Braun, in his address, underlined that the Foundation and Germany have been long-time supports of the country’s European integration process, since 2005. He added that, unfortunately, during the pandemic, the European Union was not able to support the countries in the region with vaccines, while other actors, such as China, were more successful. China’s alleged greater efficiency should not make us forget that the EU, as a union based on the values of democratic states, is much more committed to democracy, freedom, human rights, and the protection of the environment than other actors. The fact that the decision-making processes sometimes take a little longer is an integral part of the discussion in a democracy that seeks to involve all people in the debate.
He also referred to the bilateral problem that North Macedonia is currently facing, which is hindering the start of the accession negotiations with the European Union. All this, as expected, will open certain opportunities for other geopolitical actors, and it would not be unexpected if North Macedonia took them into account due to the disappointment in not starting the accession negotiations. This clearly demonstrates the need to act immediately towards the EU accession process of the Western Balkans. The well-being, security, and opportunities that the EU offers to both EU and non-EU member states are far more important than bilateral conflicts. The Western Balkans is part of Europe and thus a natural candidate for membership in the European Union.
The moderator of this event, the former Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Vasko Naumovski, said at the beginning of the debate that KAS has continuously supported the country’s European integration process for the past 20 years. He presented the Macedonian negotiations for the EU membership as a path with many ups and downs, but also a path that the country must not give up.
The debate was opened by H.E. Anke Holstein, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, who presented the idea for the “Future of Europe” project, which gives people a chance to say what kind of Europe they want to live in. She stressed that the consensus is a practice that remains despite most attempts to change it and that the very enlargement process is the victim of it. “The 26 member states are being held hostage by some small national interests of a country that is harming the entire European Union and destroying its credibility in the Western Balkans,” Holstein said.
According to her, the EU must keep the enlargement process open to all countries that want to become members of the union, if they meet the necessary conditions. Otherwise, it will open the door to other influences in the region.
The ambassador stressed that bilateral issues must be resolved bilaterally, stressing that the country must be ready and seize the opportunity with the possible start of the negotiations by closing them quickly.
Kalinka Gaber, Secretary of State at the Secretariat for European Affairs, said in her speech that the enlargement process was a test of the geopolitical power of the European Union, and stressed that the EU was risking its credibility by failing to deliver on its promises.
Aleksandar Nikoloski, President of the National Council for European Integration, said at the debate that although the goal of all the political parties is EU membership, he is not optimistic that the first intergovernmental conference will be held soon. He also called for intensified regional cooperation, a more serious fight against corruption, and investment in infrastructure through European funds.
Arta Bilali–Zendeli, Vice President of the Committee on European Affairs stressed that Schuman’s ideas must not be forgotten and that the EU has been dealing with problems throughout its existence, and now the Covid-19 pandemic is the union’s number one problem, outweighing all other issues. According to her, it is not a question of whether the country will follow the path of European integration, but in what way the obligations on that path can be met faster.
Muhamed Halili, President of the Council of Ambassadors, noted that while he was the country’s Ambassador to Denmark, North Macedonia was a leader in the region and was expected to be the first to start and end the negotiations. He underlined that politicians regularly shift the blame to Greece and Bulgaria without acknowledging the real shortcomings of the state and working on them, with a special emphasis on the necessary reforms in the judicial system.
After the debate, the President of the European Movement, Gjurovska, awarded the plaque for European Person for 2020 to Dr. Ilir Demiri.
