Skopje, 8 May 2023 (MIA) — Speaking at the 'Road to 2030' panel discussion held ahead of the third Prespa Forum Dialogue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain said North Macedonia's biggest problems were poverty, low living standard, corruption and crime.

Ambassador Larsson Jain said corruption was corrosive to society, as it weakened democracy, undermined trust in institutions, and threatened their work. Corruption, she noted, also distorted business competition and was detrimental to companies as well as citizens.

The country, the Swedish ambassador said, needed to strengthen its fight against corruption and the rule of law as the fundamental values for an aspiring EU member state.

"This is no small feat," she said, adding that obstacles remained on the EU path. The union, she said, as well as international partners had already voiced their concerns about some issues. What was needed, she noted, was a real commitment from all stakeholders along with accountability and transparency.

"There are no short cuts on the way to the EU," she said.

Larsson Jain added that the country had also made some progress.

North Macedonia, she said, opened the screening process well, appointing a professional team that made an important step. Also, all major political parties claiming that European integration was the country's strategic goal was a good start, she added.

Greater efforts are needed, however, to achieve political consensus on EU integration, according to the Swedish ambassador.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj said the goal of joining the EU in 2030 was achievable through cooperation.

"We can do it only if we work together on the same goal," he said, adding that crucial reforms needed to continue.

"The rule of law, functional democratic institutions, and public administration reforms are the three areas we must work on this year because they are required for opening the Fundamentals cluster," Marichikj said. mr/