Skopje, 14 October 2021 (MIA) – If Europe wants to be taken seriously as a global player, then it must take the pending decisions very seriously. The Balkans has always been the test of Europe’s will, commitment, strength and ambition. Now is the time to again show this European drive and ambition, Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska told the second Western Balkans Summit organized by The Economist titled “Promoting Inclusiveness and Solidarity in Europe” in Skopje on Thursday. Minister Shekerinska said North Macedonia has worked hard and delivered more than it needed, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. “The Prespa Agreement, the Bulgaria Friendship Treaty, policies of transparency, media freedom – all these important aspects were realized because we took our job seriously and delivered. Our NATO membership gave us room to breathe easier, but North Macedonia has always had a double goal – NATO and European Union membership,” said Shekerinska. On the EU enlargement, she said that although certain member-states are not overjoyed by the process, they should ask themselves how the European geopolitical scene would have looked like today if the last two enlargement rounds had not taken place. “What would the geopolitical challenges for the Union have been if EU leaders had not been brave enough to move forward 20 years ago. This should serve as a reminder to the current EU leaders and security is becoming a challenge anytime we neglect geopolitics,” said Shekerinska. She also referred to the importance of North Macedonia’s NATO membership. “The Kosovo-Serbia tensions are a concern but we do not fear a spillover because North Macedonia is a NATO member. This is the value of our accession as the 30th member,” added Shekerinska. According to her, the EU truly needs to deliver on enlargement just like North Macedonia delivered on reforms. “On the contrary, it will send a wrong message to the region and unleash the threat of long-term frozen conflicts on the Balkans,” underlined Shekerinska.