Skopje, 8 May 2026 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova met Thursday with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, highlighting CoE's role as the oldest European institution that has promoted democracy, human rights and rule of law as fundamental values for more than seven decades.

President Siljanovska Davkova said the New Democratic Pact for Europe is an important step towards renewing the trust in institutions and strengthening democratic resiliance amid deep political, security and technological change.

Siljanovska Davkova said development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence open new challenges related to protection of human rights, privacy and democratic values. In this regard, she welcomed the country's signing of the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, the President's Office said in a press release.

The President said the closing of the post-monitoring gialogue is a significant institutional recognition of the progress in reforms related to the rule of law, judiciary independence and fight against corruption.

Siljanovska Davkova noted that the country has actively implemented European reforms and is one of the most aligned candidates with the EU Acquis, while warning that bilateralization of the accession process undermines the concept of enlargement based on the Copenhagen criteria.

She also referred to the failure of certain CoE member-states to execute judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, adding that issues related to the right of association, identity and self-determination are not bilateral but European affairs that relate to fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Secretary General Berset said the frustration among candidate-states due to the enlargement standstill can produce negative political tendencies, adding there is a need for fresh dynamics, especially in the Western Balkans.

On the ECHR, Berset said the CoE is working on mechanisms for a more efficient and faster execution of judgments, in order to ensure their essential not symbolic implementation.

Interlocutors expressed readiness for intensification of the bilateral cooperation ahead of the Macedonian Presidency over the CoE Committee of Ministers in the period November 2027 - May 2028, reads the press release.

Photo: President's Office