Skopje, 15 May 2025 (MIA) - North Macedonia has done a lot of work, you need to stay the course. The accession process is more of a marathon than a sprint, it is a demanding process, it can be frustrating at times, like it has been for all previous candidates. But, all of them achieved the goal, and certainly you will achieve it too. With your determination, hard work and cooperation we will make it all the way, bypassing hurdles, the President of the European Council, António Costa, said at a joint press conference Thursday in Skopje with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

Costa underscored the enlargement of the European Union as the best geostrategic investment in peace and stability. He also commended the work made by the country and its Government on the reform agenda and “the progress already achieved”. 

“I encourage the Prime Minister to pursue his efforts to unlock further progress. Dear Hristijan, you can count on us, the European Union, we stand ready to help you seize this momentum. It is now crucial to press ahead with the reforms and invest in the rule of law and the fight against corruption. I would also like to acknowledge your alignment with our common foreign and security policy and your support of Ukraine,” stressed Costa. 

At the press conference, Prime Minister Mickoski said the country’s commitment to the EU process would strengthen and that he hopes the EU path would be unblocked “in a dignified way”. 

“Our commitment to the EU process will strengthen in the process to come, since we believe that our future lies in the European family. As Council President Costa said, the path to the EU is frustrating, but the citizens of this country have also walked the most difficult path. I hope that in the period to come we will unblock the European process in a dignified way and become a part of the European family with dignity,” Mickoski said. 

Photo: MIA