Brussels, 13 September 2023 (MIA) - I am an optimist that we are now entering a new stage and the ball is in our hands. I believe that citizens will understand the importance of the moment. Countries' destinies are decided in certain moments and this is one of those moments that define the country's direction. We are at a turning point - we either enter a period of isolation or a period of accelerated EU integration, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told MIA at the end of his visit to Brussels on Wednesday.

"Every politician, every MP and every citizen has responsibility. There is a dominant view that EU's position on the need for enlargement had shifted. Unfortunately, a war had to happen as a wake-up call. We do not know how long this door will remain open and therefore it is important that everyone recognizes the moment," says FM Osmani.

He adds that everyone in Brussels says now is the time and the geopolitical context that the country should utilize, since no one knows if a similar situation will repeat.

"This is what makes us even more responsible in reaching every home and every citizen, telling them what lies ahead if we choose one or the other direction," says Osmani.

During the visit to Brussels, the FM attended an Independence Day reception, met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Council officials, before taking part at a policy briefing in the European Policy Centre, where he presented North Macedonia's concept of more integration before membership as a way to maintain EU's credibility through benefits for citizens prior to the actual accession.

"This is not some kind of alternative arrangement and we became even more vocal since (European Council President) Charles Michel said 2030 is the year when we join as member. The question now is what until 2030? We find it important that we integrate on the European market, have access to EU funds and sit on the policymaking table," notes Osmani.

Regarding Brussels' remarks over the Criminal Code amendments, he explained at today's meetings that the changes aim to align the country's legislation with the EU law, whereas certain changes debated by the public at large have been dragging on for years as issues that diverge from the European law and ones that prevented the implementation of the rule of law due to the rigid Criminal Code provisions.

"As experts have explained, the amendments make the Criminal Code more flexible and dynamic, putting the focus on the unlawfully acquired property but also provide the opportunity for judges to swiftly close cases. All of this will lead to a new dynamics in the judiciary that citizens expect. I am aware of the conspiracy theories that the move is linked to the constitutional amendments. It's not, it is an issue that has been dragging on for years and a solution that will ensure dynamics, flexibility and fast decisions in the judiciary, in the interest of the rule of law," underlines Osmani.