Skopje, 9 January 2023 (MIA) – The EU’s message is clearer than ever before – the citizens’ future lies in the EU. We will do our best to welcome you to the European Union. This geopolitical reality brings new challenges, but benchmarks must be fulfilled. North Macedonia is well-prepared and highly professional in the screening process, giving itself ambitious goals, according to Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain, representing the priorities of the Swedish chairmanship over the Council of the EU before the National Council for European Integration in the Macedonian Parliament.

She said that reforms are key to moving forward with European integration.

“The EU is a union based on values, respecting the rule of law and individual rights. Reforms in rule of law, fundamental rights and the judiciary, as well as a strong commitment to fight organized crime and corruption are the key to go forward towards European integration,” Larsson Jain said.

The Swedish chairmanship will continue with the activities to give Ukraine and Moldova candidacy status, as well as Georgia, in parallel to the process of integration of the Western Balkans, and the EU will also “continue to support these states in the implementation of reforms as part of their integrative process”.

“Sweden’s commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkans is reflected in the cooperation programs we have with multiple states in the region. In reference to North Macedonia, this is a EUR 6 million sum in comparison to last year from these programs, and this support will continue,” Larsson Jain added.

The Swedish Ambassador added that this is a time for historical challenges for the EU member states a whole, pointing out that Russia’s unacceptable and prejudiced aggression against Ukraine is a threat to Europe’s safety with horrible consequences to security, food etc.

“Europe and its member states showed huge support to Ukraine. We will continue down this path to develop a joint response and cooperation of partners of trust and we will stand with Ukraine as much as we need to. Harmonization with the EU’s joint security policy and the sanctions against Russia remain key. North Macedonia’s unanimousness in this is also much appreciated,” Larsson Jain said.

She reiterated that, despite the determination, it’s very important to stay firm in regards to the economy’s long-term growth, and that Sweden will chair the Council in this context.

“Security, competitiveness, green and energy transition, democracy and the rule of law are Sweden’s priorities during this chairmanship in the first half of 2023,” Larsson Jain said.

The first priority is to secure the EU citizens’ safety by strengthening the EU in the world.

“The EU’s firm response in terms of the aggression against Ukraine is of key importance. The EU will continue with military and economic support for Ukraine, as well as support for Ukraine’s path to the EU, which will take additional efforts on a national and European level. We need further steps to reconstruct and reform towards a European integration. We have to build a consensus towards a robust European security policy and defense in close cooperation with our partners, and an important part of this is fighting cross-border organized crime with continuous responses to the citizens’ demands for safe and secure communities,” she said.

The second priority is to “strengthen EU competitiveness in order to rise up to long-term growth challenges”.

“The open market generates growth and leads to a green transition. Mineral supply from other countries is risky, so we have to deepen trade with other countries,” Larsson Jain said.

The Swedish Ambassador concluded with the third priority – speeding up the green transition.

“The Swedish chairmanship will continue its efforts towards the high and unstable energy prices, while turning to long-term reforms on the energy market. The response to climate change must be global, Europe must lead by example to deliver results in terms of ambitious climate goals,” Larsson Jain said. dk/sk/