Skopje, 23 September 2022 (MIA) - The European Union is not complete without the Western Balkans being fully integrated, but these words should be turned into deeds. You'd waited for too long and you had to make concessions. The whole process is polluted by bilateral issues over identity, language, history, which for us are not acceptable. We want a fair process with fair criteria not impacted by bilateral issues so much. We believe there's only one good perspective on both the medium and long run - full integration, concluded European Parliament members Tineke Strik and Reinhard Bütikofer. The MEPs, who represent the Greens/European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament, on Friday took part in a public discussion in Parliament, titled "The Republic of North Macedonia's EU Path - Perspectives and Obstacles", at the Committee on European Affairs. We are strong supporters of the EU accession negotiations not only of North Macedonia but also of the whole Balkans, said Strik mentioning that the country had made a lot of concessions, such as the Prespa Agreement and the Agreement with Bulgaria. "We are happy there is progress at the moment, but we have a feeling it cost a lot," she said calling it costly because the whole process got polluted by bilateral issues. According to the Dutch MEP, it caused deep polarization in the society. Strik said they wanted personally to see how they can support the future steps of the country in order the process to get back on the right track without being burdened by other unpredictable demands on the EU path. The Macedonian identity and language cannot be denied in Europe, she insisted, adding that a new annual report on North Macedonia is due, where this statement will be included in the report very clearly. "It's high time that other EU countries too exert pressure on Bulgaria to make sure the demands are lessened," stated the MEP. Strik also called for right implementation of the laws to improve the fight against corruption and rule of law amongst other things. According to German MEP Bütikofer, the Parliament's Committee on European Affairs has to be serve as the cornerstone of the accession process. Our group, he said, is one of the strongest supporters of North Macedonia's accession into our bloc, into the European family of nations and we will keep maintaining this position although the Council hasn't been always fair and had made empty promises. "We will support nothing else other than full integration." Today's visit, stated Bütikofer, will be focused on the necessary reforms in the judiciary, the fight against corruption and response to the energy crisis. MP Arber Ademi, chair of the Committee on European Affairs, said North Macedonia had to make difficult compromises. "However, regardless of all the obstacles, I believe it was worth it," he noted adding that Parliament is committed on the EU accession agenda.