Skopje, 2 October 2023 (MIA) - Enlargement of the European Union is not a question of if, but when and how. Sweden is in favor of going forward with North Macedonia on a merit-based process. We are strongly advocating this in the EU as its members. Hopefully we take steps forward, in the near future, for negotiating and welcoming North Macedonia as a member of the EU, said Swedish Parliament Deputy Speaker Kerstin Lundgren said on Monday.

Lundren addressed a press conference following a meeting of the delegation of the Parliamentary Steering Group for Democratic Development of the Kingdom of Sweden (Riksdag) and the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, chaired by MP Fadil Zendeli.

The Riksdag Deputy Speaker emphasized the importance of the current momentum for North Macedonia's integration process in the context of the enlargement.

"Today’s debate about the fight against corruption was making sure that the rule of law is high on the agenda. It is important that there is trust in the rule of law for all of us, especially for Macedonian citizens, because they are the most important. Moving forward we should take into consideration future generations as we cooperate for a more prosperous future for our citizens," Lundgern said.

When asked if the meeting tackled the constitutional amendments as prerequisite for the country to continue with EU integration, she stressed that Sweden respects the way the Parliament operates, and that they do not want to interfere with internal political discussions, reaffirming Stockholm’s position regarding the enlargement process and the importance to use the present momentum.

"We are just here to discuss how to work together on merit-based issues. As I mentioned, the rule of law is very important and we hope that the situation as it is, you are aware that the EU has opened up for new candidates with Ukraine and Moldova, and we are in the mood inside the EU for enlargement. We are hopeful that enlargement will come, sooner than later, and we also hope to see North Macedonia in the EU, but it is merit-based issue and we should stick to that and nothing else," Lundgern stressed.

First Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag, Kenneth Forslund, who has over 20 years of experience in foreign policy though his work in the institution, assessed the cooperation with the Parliament as one of the most successful and inspirational parliamentary cooperations, emphasizing Sweden's position as a country that traditionally has been in favor of the enlargement, also adding that "the goal of this cooperation is to help you meet the criteria to become an EU member."

Lawmaker Fadil Zendeli assessed the meeting as successful, including the presented aspects of the work of the Legislative Committee and other spheres of the Swedish society as an important contribution to the development of North Macedonia's democratic capacities, especially the new Rules of Procedures of the Parliament as a result of the Jean Monnet Dialogue.

"The joint assessment of all participants is that the topic of anti-corruption should be analyzed in more detail. And at each working meeting we discussed European integration and the dynamics of this process," Zendeli said.

He added that Swedish MPs expressed a selfless willingness to transfer their rich democratic experience and knowledge they have acquired throughout their long parliamentary tradition and institutional memory, while expressing readiness to familiarize themselves with Macedonian democratic experience, challenges and dilemmas.

The legislative role of the Parliament, parliamentary administration and procedure, the work of commissions and plenary session, the relationship between the majority and opposition, MPs and voters, NGOs and media, openness, transparency and the fight against corruption, parliamentary control, gender equality were some of the topics discussed between the Steering Group for Democratic Development of Riksdag and Parliament of North Macedonia.

The cooperation between the Parliament and Riksdag, that was initiated and funded by the Swedish Parliament in 2020, is realized through study visits and debates on important issues of parliamentary democracy. Recently, cooperation has also been realized at a parliamentary staff level. ssh/ik/