Brussels, 19 July 2022 (MIA) – Today marks a major breakthrough that will be crucial for North Macedonia, for the Western Balkans and for the European Union as a whole, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said Tuesday in Brussels at the first Intergovernmental Conference that launch country’s EU accession negotiations. “We live in times of big tectonic geopolitical changes. We are moving forward to strategic and historic decisions. We are witnessing changes in our geostrategic environment and North Macedonia is part of it. I strongly believe that we can only advance together by fully integrating the Western Balkans in the EU. It would not be completed without you,” he said. He also underlined that we are living times of identity politics. Identities are topic discussed passionately over the past weeks and months, underscoring that North Macedonia with its own identity, culture and history has always been part of Europe, MIA’s Brussels correspondent reported. “On your path to the EU you will not lose your identity. None of us does it. You do not need Council conclusions to know that. Your identity will remain and it will be enriched by others identities, which are not alternative but complementary. We need you. We need North Macedonia in order to complete our complex identity. We need each other because we are stronger together,” Borrell noted. He reminded that he was the President of the European Parliament in 2005 when the country received the EU candidate status and it was 17 years ago, today we are finally starting a process. “Today North Macedonia is moving to the next stage on its path into the EU. We are living in a critical momentum and this momentum has to be seized by North Macedonia to push ahead crucial reforms. And we will support you on that,” he said. He also underlined that during the accession process Macedonian society will be transformed and reforms will be carried out that will bring tangible benefits to the citizens and on the European Union will support you on that road as well as will help you address the consequences of the Russian aggression on Ukraine which will be visible on food and energy security. Borrell reminded that North Macedonia is already one hundred percent aligned with EU common and security policy, and your full alignment shows clearly the strategic direction that you have chosen, he said.