30 September 2021 Skopje – The enlargement of the European Union has always evoked strong opinions and emotions, sense of extreme optimism and extreme pessimism. What I believe is really needed for the success of our enlargement policy is true dedication. The path into the EU however is long and complicated and full of challenges. But for me there is no doubt – the future of the Western Balkans is the European Union and our partners are committed to this goal, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi said on Thursday at the 8th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum. Skopje – The meetings I had with European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi were all positive. Talks focused on three topics – the Economic and Investment Plan, the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia and the Bulgaria issue, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said after attending the 8th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum in Skopje. Skopje – Just because the problem doesn’t exist in our country doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be worried about something that’s happening the Western Balkans. If it exists in neighboring countries, it’ll come knocking at our door too. Visa liberalization has its criteria and standards which must be honored and kept. Unfortunately, individuals tend to abuse it often, stated PM Zoran Zaev, who commented on the document that states that some EU member states are concerned about the misuse of visa liberalization. Skopje – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Thursday that there’s a change in positions as Bulgaria is becoming more understanding of the necessity of key aspects in the negotiations that are non-negotiable. Strasbourg – No country can say or dictate who we are and what language we speak, because it is not goodneighborliness if you do this to your neighbor, said Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov in his address at the Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Thursday, MIA reports from Strasbourg. Strasbourg – We have a lot to say and we have strong arguments. In fact, it’s EU’s turn to deliver. So, the region needs a clear promise from the EU-Western Balkans Summit about its European future, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov has said. Skopje – Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov while in Strasbourg held Thursday separate meetings with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić and PACE President Rik Daems and presented North Macedonia’s commitments to reforms related to promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law as well as regional cooperation and EU accession process. Skopje – Czech Ambassador Miroslav Toman said Thursday EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania should start as soon as possible. In response to MIA’s question on whether a solution with Bulgaria could be expected by the end of the year, seeing the visits paid by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, Toman said the visits were yet another proof of the major efforts made by EU officials, as well as the governments of both countries, to reach a solution during Slovenia’s EU Presidency for start of negotiations with Skopje and Tirana. Skopje – We will not give up on investments in energy capacities abroad because they are important for our economy, said Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi on Thursday. Skopje – Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski attended on Thursday the presentation of the draft National Strategy for Integrated Border Management at the Ministry of Interior. “The draft national strategy was prepared within the IPA 2016 twinning project ‘Aligning the national systems with the EU and the Schengen requirements for border management’ which is currently being implemented in the Ministry of Interior,” the Ministry said in a press release on Thursday. Skopje – Minister of Defence Radmila Shekerinska and Norway’s Defence Attaché Dag-Magne Lunde presented on Thursday the Ministry of Defence’s new Integrity Plan 2021-2024, prepared in cooperation with the Norwegian Center for Integrity. Skopje – Over the past 24 hours, North Macedonia registered 494 new COVID-19 cases from 3,425 tests done in the country, 474 patients recovered and 12 people died from coronavirus-related complications, the Ministry of Health said in a press release on Thursday. Skopje — Within the European Union-funded “Cinderella” pilot project starting in Spain, Slovenia, and North Macedonia, iron and steel slag occurring as byproducts during ironmaking and steelmaking will from now on be turned into asphalt or cement mixtures for road construction – as an environmentally friendly alternative to previously used aggregates such as rocks. Skopje – According to the State Statistical Office, industrial production in August 2021 dropped by 1.4% compared to August 2020, but in January-August 2021 compared to the same period last year it increased by 4.5%. Skopje – Findings of the EDU4IT project – Increasing employability in sectors with high added value through the acceleration of developmentally relevant projects, through which around 20 young people gained skills to work in the IT sector, were presented Thursday in Skopje by the Czech Ambassador Miroslav Toman, and the president of InnoHub Skopje, Dejan Deskoski. Hamburg – A 96-year-old woman due to appear in court for aiding and abetting murder in the Stutthof concentration camp is on the run, prompting an arrest warrant, presiding judge Dominik Gross said on Thursday.