Skopje, 14 July 2025 (MIA) - We would like to see North Macedonia as part of the next group of countries to join the European Union. You know what needs to be done, and we are here to help and support you for this to happen, said Danish Ambassador Pernille Dahler Kardel in her presentation Monday of the priorities of the Danish EU Presidency in front of the National Euro-Integration Council.  

“It is important that you take this opportunity. It cannot be guaranteed, but the enlargement opportunity is there. We know the challenges, but what matters is that we work together so we can ensure this beautiful country becomes a part of the EU during the next enlargement,” the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador said enlargement lies at the heart of the Danish Presidency, while also noting the geopolitical uncertainty.

“The uncertain geopolitical situation lies ahead of us on a daily basis and also has a big influence on the priorities of the Danish Presidency. The motto is ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, we have two sets of priorities under this motto – the first is for a safe Europe that can defend itself, has strong external borders, but it is also safe because we are enlarging, while the second set of priorities are for a competitive and safe Europe. Enlargement lies at the heart of the Danish Presidency. I think for many of us the Russian aggression on Ukraine is a wake-up call and this has once again activated the need for Europe to unite and be stronger, which is why the emphasis now is on enlargement,” she said.

Ambassador Dahler Kardel recognized the fact that enlargement fatigue was present in the EU a few months ago, noting that her country did not believe in enlargement either, but, she said, this has now changed.  

“Now we have one single message – the time has come for us to come together, to be united, and to continue with the enlargement as one of the main priorities of the Danish Presidency,” the Ambassador concluded.

At the event, Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani stressed the need for a Europe which stands firmly behind the European values in an age of global turmoil, while enlargement, he said, is a political necessity. 

“The Copenhagen Criteria must once again be the benchmark by which progress is measured – not the bilateral conditions, but the institutional capacities, the rule of law, and democratic legitimacy. Denmark understands this reality not just as a technical task, but also as a political obligation. That is why, for us, the initiative of the Danish presidency to prepare the EU for enlargement through internal reforms is good news,” Murtezani said. 

VMRO-DPMNE MP and Chair of Parliament’s Committee on European Affairs, Antonio Miloshoski, questioned the capacity of the EU to provide certainty that the candidate countries can become members in the next “three, six, or eight years” without being obstructed “by topics that have nothing to do with the Copenhagen Criteria” 

“And if there truly is a desire within the EU for it to be a stronger player in the economy, diplomacy, security, I believe that the accession of Macedonia and the other Western Balkan countries will make the EU exactly this – both stronger and more credible for itself, but also internationally,” Miloshoski said. 

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