Skopje, 21 February 2026 (MIA) - Macedonia is a victim of bullying in the Euro-integration process, we have to recognize this loud and clear, and an increasing number of politicians in Brussels are acknowledging it, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in his remarks at international conference "The European Future of the Western Balkans: Political Integration, Regional Cooperation and Economic Resilience in Times of Global Challenges”, hosted by the Pan-European Union of Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday.

"Macedonia is a victim of classical bullying from member-states that blackmail its EU integration. We are not valued by the progress we make, but by our willingness to change the Constitution, the name, the flag, the banknotes etc," said PM Mickoski.

The PM added that the country's European integration is maybe a unique case in Europe, because the process within the EU is not merited by progress but on bilateral issues, which shatters EU's credibility.

"We are the only candidate-country for which the merit-based approach is not valid, the only criterion is bilateralization. The dispute between Croatia and Slovenia was bilateral and was solved in just a few months, after the European Council clearly said that Croatia will complete the accession negotiations and join the EU, and afterwards a solution will be sought through arbitration," said Mickoski.

He added that the more this reality is ignored, the harder the path would be and the more obstacles the country will face.

Mickoski said that attention should be given to the initiative that is gaining momentum in Brussels - first and second league of member-states, i.e. gradual integration, while adding this has nothing in common with values defined by Adenauer, Schuman and De Gasperi.

"That is why we should think well about this gradual integration, which incorporates many safeguards, and take a decision as a region. Because now there is a country called 'the frontrunner', something that we were called as long as we created a new entity on the Balkans named 'northmacedonians' and that everything would be dandy. But the reality is entirely different and that is why we should be aware about all challenges we will face in the coming years," said Mickoski.

The PM said a nation should be wise and patient, not take hasty actions or decisions under pressure, adding "this nation has defended the doors of Europe for centuries, believed in the European values and will continue to do this".

"I am certain that in the years to come, we will have leaders of this country who will be aware of the ages-long history and know how to truly value it. The rightful place of this nation and this country lies in Europe," underlined Mickoski.

Photo: MIA