Skopje, 11 November 2022 (MIA) - A solution to the systemic crisis in the Western Balkan region is increased European presence in the region. Sometimes it seems as though we have been forgotten by the EU and without a progress made by the countries on their EU path, President Stevo Pendarovski said addressing a panel held at the 5th Paris Peace Forum. It's understandable, Pendarovski said, that in recent months everyone is talking about the security situation in Ukraine after Russia's aggression, but the topic of security is well-known for the Western Balkans given its modern history. Referring to the region, he said there are shared challenges, demographic trends are not favorable noting that it is necessary to invest more for the young people in order to have more opportunities to succeed at home, in their own countries, the President's office said. "Increased European presence is needed constantly, not only when there are crises," Pendarovski stressed. North Macedonia, he mentioned, launched the process to access the European Union and the screening process is under way, expected to be concluded by the end of 2023. "After that, we can talk about the next stages in the EU accession process." As regards the European Political Community, President Pendarovski reiterated that it should serve as an instrument helping us in the EU accession process rather than being only a debate club or a substitute for Union membership, because we're already seeing trends of rising Euroscepticism and drop in support for EU accession of more than 20 percent. "North Macedonia joining the EU is not only need to strengthen the economy, to improve trade and the standards for living, but also political integration into EU institutions is needed as well as democratic development, strengthening of institutions, rule of law and free press," he said. Asked about the prospect of Ukraine joining the EU, the President said that North Macedonia supports Kiev's EU membership and that he had demonstrated his support by sending a letter to President Zelensky. Despite the situation Ukraine is in at the moment, he added, the granting of a candidate status is a strong political message from the Union, the EU's strategic view, solidarity and readiness for demonstrating the bloc's unity with the Ukrainian people. At the sidelines of the Paris forum, President Pendarovski held several meetings with heads of state and participants in the event. https://youtu.be/INNVILQIVeo