Efforts made Skopje and Sofia to align positions, EU doors open after completion of reform implementation, Brymora tells MIA

Skopje, 11 May 2025 (MIA) – Polish Ambassador Mariusz Brymora in an interview with MIA says efforts are made at bilateral level in Brussels allowing Skopje and Sofia to align their positions. He stresses that the Polish EU Presidency aims to move the enlargement process forward hoping concrete steps and concrete progress will be made in the process, adding that the country needs to fulfil the commitments. Brymora says the country should resume its fight against corruption, calling it number one problem in the society, urging the government and all political stakeholders to fight against corruption and put things under control. Reforms, Growth Plan financing, plus the conditions required to be met as regards the constitutional change will open the doors for starting negotiations to join the European Union, he notes.

“The Polish Presidency declared that we want to move the enlargement process forward. We were hoping to show concrete steps and concrete progress in the process. We are working towards making it possible, not only in Brussels, but also on other bilateral levels as well. At the end of February, the Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marek Prawda, visited Sofia and had talks there, including the process of European enlargement and North Macedonia’s path to the European Union. So, we do whatever we can, but again, when you ask me about the next step, my answer must be the same – you need to fulfil your commitment. There is this ancient saying, ‘Pacta sunt servanda’ (Agreements must be kept). This commitment of North Macedonia has become part of the position of Brussels. Commissioner Kos clearly stated that she expected North Macedonia to fulfil that commitment so that we can take the process forward. Whatever we say, we will come to the same conclusion – it all starts with the constitutional requirement – after that we can proceed with the process,” Brymora tells MIA.

Asked whether a new agreement was possible with Sofia and whether the so called “silent diplomacy” could yield any results, the Polish Ambassador says there is always room for talks adding government representatives have been using every opportunity in meeting with their partners at international forums to discuss the issue, underlining that the commitment stemming from the 2022 agreement should be fulfilled.

“We’re convinced that EU enlargement will help us meet our security goals, which means it remains a priority of the Polish Presidency. I think you shouldn’t be worried about the date 2030. The truth is, as we all know here, is that we should start the accession process. In order to start the accession process, North Macedonia should fulfil its commitment and change the Constitution due to the commitment taken after signing the agreement in 2022. After doing that, we can start planning the process and open negotiations almost immediately. A date now is of no concern. The biggest problem and the problem you have here and now is to enable start of negotiations,” says Brymora.

He says the government is expected to demonstrate political will to more the process forward, to fulfil the commitments from the agreement and to complete the reform process.

“We need political will, we need reforms in North Macedonia to be completed. We need to make sure, the politicians here I mean, that they won’t lose the support from the Macedonian society for EU membership, because we already know from the public opinion polls that support is dropping, because the society is tired of waiting. We have to be very careful not to lose the support of the society. Fortunately, the latest public opinion polls released only a few weeks ago showed support slightly over 60 percent. Which means we have to use this enthusiasm,” says Brymora.

At the moment, the Ambassador states, everyone, the Commission, Brussels, the Presidency, are prepared for the enlargement process.

“Doors are open. This is a very favourable momentum for the candidate countries. The problem with the world today, instability, unpredictability – the problem is that this momentum may not last forever. The government of North Macedonia should use the momentum while it lasts,” the Polish diplomat says.

Regarding the bilateral ties with Poland, Brymora says the political ties are excellent with more work required to strengthen economic cooperation. According to him, Polish experts are working on several projects involving traffic safety and transport of passengers and goods.

As regards the EU-US relations, Ambassador Brymora, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency, says Brussels still sees the United States as its key ally and partner with which security in Europe should be maintained.

“Although there were certain challenges in the beginning, including the tariffs, we believe they should be solved soon. This is not the time to allow such matters to affect the cooperation between Europe and US, because, as I’ve said, security now is of key importance,” he says.

Brymora adds that the United States is seen as our most important ally both in terms of transatlantic relations and within NATO.

“Poland and the Polish Presidency want to work on building defence infrastructure and also the new administration may ask Europeans to realize that maybe we really should consider more engagement on our side in the question of defence and security. It was a kind of sign for Europe that we should consider spending more money on defence and taking more control in our hands. And that is being already done, because we have that plan of 2030 being the date by which we should improve the European security. But again, it does not change the fact that we want to do it within the cooperation with the United States,” states the Ambassador.

Watch a video of the interview with Polish Ambassador Mariusz Brymora below.