Skopje, 20 October 2023 (MIA) - EU Ambassador David Geer said Friday that EU enlargement is a geostrategic investment, and the countries that want to join the Union should make the necessary reforms. 

"I believe that anyone who follows the developments in the EU itself, could not miss the sense of urgency, dynamism and driving force on the issue of enlargement. This is also reflected in the recent Granada declaration which said enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity," Geer told session III of the Conference on Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue to Further Promote the European Integration of the Western Balkans.

According to Geer, the task of the countries that want to be part of the EU is to complete the necessary reforms - the rule of law, the reform of public administration and respect for human rights.

"The rule of law is a particularly important area where there must be no compromise. Today there is a really lively discussion in North Macedonia about these issues. This is something that is happening all over the Western Balkans," said Geer. 

The necessary reforms, he added, are not just to please the European Union, but create the basis for prosperity, stability, democracy and security. 

According to Aleksandar Nikoloski, chair of the National EU Integration Council and member of the Delegation of North Macedonia to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), a strategic partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe is needed in terms of common values, ​​with the aim of intensifying the political dialogue and accelerating the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

"Stronger cooperation will also enable better use of all the opportunities provided by the Council of Europe, which has serious expertise primarily in the area of ​​the rule of law, democracy and human rights," said Nikoloski. 

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