Skopje, 12 May 2026 (MIA) – As a government, we believe that there is no shortcut to the European Union, or rather, there is, but it is paved with challenges that are often humiliating. That is why we are choosing the more difficult path, through which we will earn our place in the Union through quality and results, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Tuesday at the Summit 2026 organized by Macedonia2025, held under the theme “Beyond 2025: Accelerating Growth. Inspiring Leadership.”

He was responding to a question related to the European integration process, where political criteria seem to prevail over the Copenhagen Criteria in our case as well as on citizens’ growing fatigue and the Reform Agenda as a current benefit for the country, society and all citizens.

“Depending on your political ideology, every government has its own model for approaching and achieving this strategic goal. The government I lead has a different approach compared to the previous one. We believe there is no shorter path, or rather, there is but it comes with challenges, often humiliating ones. That is why we say that if we need to take the harder path, we will do so, but we will earn our place through quality and delivery, not by signing blank sheets of paper. Because in the end, that creates problems for future generations,” Mickoski said.

He stressed that among citizens, this unproven story or unfulfilled dream creates more frustration than despair or a sense of giving up. He added that public opinion polls show that support for EU integration remains more or less stable and said it should remain stable, as this is a strategic goal.

“And that is why we have chosen this more difficult path. And that path comes with a price, because bureaucrats will most often tell you what needs to be done – for them it is business as usual, but for you it is everything. For you it is everything. Dignity has no price. That is why I say there is no shortcut. You will face insults, criticism and often falsehoods, frequently even fabrications, but that is the price you must pay and endure, because you must believe in what you are doing. I personally believe this harder path is more correct one. It may be slower and full of challenges, but there is no alternative. That is why we must prove that we are the best,” Mickoski said.

Regarding the delivery of the Reform Agenda, the Prime Minister stressed that out of 21 indicators, 16 have been successfully completed and for this reporting period the country ranks best among the six Western Balkan countries. He added that a new assessment will take place in June, which, as he said, is being worked on intensively in order to deliver. He also announced a longer video meeting tomorrow with the Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, who, as he said, is essentially driving these activities, and expressed expectation that the country will move closer to the so-called “front-runner” position.

“In this context, there is a phrase that some bureaucrats use diplomatically they refer to Montenegro as a ‘front-runner’. I recall that we were also considered a ‘front-runner’ about seven or eight years ago, when it was just a matter of changing a name, surname and everything else, and we were practically on the verge of entering. Yet here we are, 25 years later, still in the same place, facing the same difficulties as 25 years ago. That is why we must believe in ourselves. We are a small nation. It is hard to be noticed without exceptional quality and results. It is not easy, but we must endure it for the sake of past and future generations. I currently have no other option but to endure, but not to be stubborn. That is not good. We must not be stubborn. We must work and deliver. The action plan for minorities has been delivered, the Reform Agenda — we are first in delivery. You must demonstrate quality. Then even the strongest will acknowledge it, take off their hats and say: ‘These people deserve their place, let’s not get stuck on names, surnames, constitutions and similar issues,’” Mickoski said.

Speaking about the work and role of Macedonia2025, Mickoski said that as an organisation, idea and vision it represents significant added value for the country.

He said the results clearly show its strong contribution, but noted that what is now needed is greater visibility in global centres - in Europe, the United States and beyond. “We must fight for our truth. Not in a stubborn way, but by clearly and convincingly presenting it. Otherwise, we risk losing the battle. Even much larger nations today do not have their own state. We do, and the time has come for unity across all structures of society so that we can be louder and more effective in presenting our truth,” he said.

He added that Macedonia 2025, with its network and 18 years of institutional experience, can serve as a strong ambassador for the country, while the government remains available to support its work.

Photo: MIA