Skopje, 30 December 2021 (MIA) – If we don’t cooperate more with neighbors, it’s an illusion to expect greater cooperation with European Union member states that are further away from us in terms of geography, President Stevo Pendarovski told the European Talks podcast. “An important litmus test of whether you are ready to one day be part of the European Union is whether you are ready to have productive cooperation with your immediate neighbors and those in the region,” says President Pendarovski. He believes that if politicians elected by young people don’t fulfill the agenda they advocated and promoted in media before being elected, there’s no other way but “breathing in their necks” and pressing them to act democratically and not misuse state funds for private purposes. “There’s no dilemma, and no one should have any dilemma or doubt about the initiative of the Youth Alliance to establish Greek-Macedonian offices for youth cooperation, i.e. about the efficiency and productivity of these offices, about their primary goal which is bringing the young generations from the two countries closer, after they were unnecessarily divided both politically and in other ways for almost a quarter of a century. When you bring young people closer you’ll see that there’s no difference between them, they have the same joys, worries, pleasures, they listen to the same music, they watch the same films and share the same values,” Pendarovski said. He stressed that young people are important for European integration processes, because they are the most dynamic force of any economy and the most progressive part of any society, and should be given a chance to express themselves or create an environment in which they will show what they know. According to the President, the increased distrust in the European Union among the young people is largely due to the blockade by our neighbors. “Ten years ago, between 92 and 94 percent of the citizens of North Macedonia were in favor of membership in the European Union. Under these circumstances now and due to unfair blockades, Euro-enthusiasm is declining, and it is particularly declining among young people aged 18 to 25, i.e. those who should experience the greatest benefits of the membership after the negotiation process. Those who are now between the ages of 18 and 25 after the accession negotiations will still be able to enjoy the benefits of membership and see precisely what united Europe means,” President Pendarovski noted. The series of podcasts entitled "European Talks" are organized by the Youth Council, in cooperation with the Europe House - Skopje and with the support of the Delegation of the European Union.