More than 40 young politicians from 25 countries had the opportunity to discuss particularly important and current topics that primarily relate to the current security and economic challenges in the region caused by the Russian aggression of Ukraine.
Within the framework of the Youth Political Academy, the Council Meeting of EDS was held, which UMS hosted with the support of KAS also in 2015 and 2017.
The event was opened with welcoming addresses by the Official representative of the KAS, Daniel Braun, who emphasized the importance of the unity of the youth of the European People's Party during the great geopolitical challenges with which the whole Europe is facing. The vice-presidents of VMRO-DPMNE, Aleksandar Nikoloski and Timco Mucunski as well as the Secretary General of the EDS, Ivan Botoucharov and the President of the UMS, Sergej Popov, gave introductory speeches, where they welcomed the delegates to Skopje and wished them successful work.
The working part started with a panel discussion where the speakers were Aleksandar Nikoloski in capacity of President of the National European Integration Council, Vice-President of the party Timco Mucunski, the International Secretary of VMRO-DPMNE, Stefan Andonovski and Todor Koneski, Co-President of the EDS working group for Economy and Trade. The panel was focused on the topic of the enlargement of the European Union with the Western Balkan countries amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The panellists focused on the geopolitical effect of the war in Ukraine on the Western Balkans and how the countries of the region should act in order to speed up the EU integration process. The panel discussion was followed by a large number of questions from the participants.
The second day started with an organized visit to the Macedonian Assembly and a meeting with the MPs Antonio Miloshoski, President of the Foreign Policy Committee and with the representatives of the Club on Youth Affairs and Policies of the Assembly Jovan Jauleski, Marija Petrushevska and Bojan Stojanoski. At this meeting, the participants discussed the foreign policy, the EU perspectives of the countries of the Western Balkans region, as well as the Action Plan of the Club on Youth Affairs and Policies and the participation of the youth in the decision-making process.
The working part of the Youth Political Academy continued at the Party Headquarters of VMRO-DPMNE, where a discussion was held with the Chairman of EDS, Beppe Galea and the President of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski. At this panel, the participants gave their overview on the stability of the Western Balkans and Europe in times of challenges, the role of young people in decision-making and the future enlargement of the European Union.
Afterwards a panel discussion was organized on the topic "The political, economic and energetic effects of the war in Ukraine on Europe". The speakers at this panel discussion were Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska, Vice-President of VMRO-DPMNE and finance expert; Aleksandar Spasenovski, Professor at the Faculty of Law “Iustinianus Primus” – Skopje and former MP; Elena Markova Velinova, Expert in the field of energetics, as well as Ivan Botoucharov, Secretary General of EDS. The panellists addressed the effects of the war in Ukraine in their areas of expertise.
During the working day, EDS working groups were also organized. The organization itself consists of 4 working groups, i.e. working group for Gender Equality, Higher Education, Policies for Europe and Economy and Trade. Depending on their area, these working groups prepare the motions that are later voted. After voting, the passed motions are submitted to the European institutions.
The third day of the event was dedicated to the EDS Council Meeting. At the event itself, the motions were presented and voted by the working groups of EDS. The Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE presented an urgent motion that referred to the need of improvement of the student standard of the Macedonian students as well as the Law on student meals. The urgent motion was voted with unanimous support by the EDS Council. The rest of the working day was related to the next activities of the EDS, as well as the presentation of the situations in their countries by the members of the Council.
After the end of the EDS Council Meeting, a panel discussion was organized on the topic " Politics in the time of war, the political role of the Western Balkans in the war in Ukraine". The participants at this panel discussion were: Vladimir Gjorchev, former MP; Vladimir Bozhinovski, Professor at the Faculty of Law “Iustinianus Primus” – Skopje; Viktorija Trajkov, Professor at the University of Tourism and Management – Skopje as well as Irina Shahotina, Vice-Chair of EDS. The panellists condemned the Russian aggression in Ukraine and expressed the unreserved support that the country gives to Ukraine.
