Skopje, 13 April 2024 (MIA) - The European Union needs North Macedonia. I expected all political parties to work on the European dream, but judging by discussions here in the country, I realized there are not that many pro-European options. Now is the time when the EU must do everything to move forward with the negotiations, but also for North Macedonia to have a government that will do everything for those negotiations to be successful. The message is clear, we will have a common European future only if you are elected and if Stevo Pendarovski becomes president, said Andreas Schieder, Member of European Parliament (MEP) and list principal of the Austrian social-democrats for the European elections, after a meeting with SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski on Saturday.

Schieder told a joint press conference with Kovachevski that North Macedonia needs a government that solves problems. Besides EU membership, he referred to economic and social issues but also aspects related to rule of law and countering corruption.

He expressed assurance that the country would have a reason for celebration by the end of this decade - EU membership.

"Sometimes solutions and decisions aren't easy, sometimes it is difficult to find the majority, especially if the opposition is not serious about resolving problems in the country. Nevertheless, the most important thing is to have a government that identifies the problem and is prepared to solve it, and we have seen this in recent years here. During my term, I wanted to contribute to the start of North Macedonia's accession negotiations. Now is the time when the EU must do everything to move forward with the negotiations, but also for North Macedonia to have a government that will do everything for those negotiations to be successful. Judging by discussions here in the country, I realized there are not that many pro-European options. What I expected is for everyone to push the European issue forward, that all political parties will work on the European dream, but I have seen that SDSM is the party working on this dream and Stevo Pendarovski as the country's president. The message is clear, we will have a common European future only if you are elected and if Stevo Pendarovski becomes president. Economy and social affairs, rule of law and fight against corruption, and EU accession are the three things that go hand in hand. The EU path means reforms and many recommendations have been given on that road. In SDSM, I see the highest percentage of coverage when it comes to these areas, while with others I see aspects that are rather confusing to me," said Schieder.

He also mentioned the Election Day date - May 8, noting that the Schuman Declaration was presented on the following day in 1950.

"It is good to wake up the next morning and think about the country's European future," underlined Schieder.

Photo: MIA