Copenhagen, 2 September 2025 (MIA) - It is evident, especially since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that the European Union is more interested in accepting new members, said Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani on Tuesday in Copenhagen ahead of the beginning of an informal meeting with his counterparts from the 27 member states, as well as the Western Balkan countries, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

“Europe is much more interested, especially with gradual integration, for which we are doing everything we can. What we should do now is make sure that the effort we are putting in will bear fruit as soon as possible. I think that all candidate states from the Western Balkans can become EU members by 2030,” Murtezani said.

According to the Minister, the meeting in Copenhagen is also a message that the candidate members are not pushed aside but are instead sitting on the same table with the EU member states.

“This is the real spirit of the enlargement process,” Murtezani said.

Murtezani said the meeting’s motto - “From Copenhagen, through Copenhagen, to Copenhagen” reaffirms the message that there is only one roadmap and one set of criteria for EU membership – the Copenhagen criteria.

“Due to the political obstacles, North Macedonia has been waiting for too long, but we are committed to our European future and are working to secure it,” Murtezani added.

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