Berlin, 14 September 2024 (MIA) - The State Secretary for Federal, European and International Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Mark Speich, told Deutsche Welle that North Macedonia’s EU accession process must accelerate, noting that the growing frustration among the Macedonian citizens over the process is understandable and that Germany must do something to accelerate the process.

“You can feel that skepticism or that growing frustration with the EU accession process. And to be honest, there is good reason for it. I think the accession process has been going on for 20 years now and there is still not an outcome, so it causes frustration. For me this is very understandable, and I would say the best way to move forward is to accelerate the process, and I think this must be done by the EU. Obviously, we know there are certain veto players, and this is a very complex game. But I think we should use our political power here and I think Germany should play a key role in overcoming these obstacles. The sole way to prevent that frustration is to put an end to the accession process – by end I mean membership,” Speich told DW in Macedonian.

The past week, Speich was on a two-day visit to Skopje and met with the highest political and economic representatives of the country. He also met with a group of young journalists participating in a project aimed at fighting disinformation funded by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia.

He said Germany offers a number of opportunities for young people from North Macedonia, however with a focus of not encouraging a “brain drain”.

“We are offering internships in companies in Germany, but not so we can offer them an opportunity to stay in Germany to work, but to have them go back as ambassadors for the opportunities that exist here in terms of economic activities. We are talking about opportunities for opening production here in this country. Creating closer connections between our business communities. What we can see is that this is really happening. Some of those who interned here in Germany, are now employed in those companies’ subsidiaries here in this country,” Speich said. 

Photo: Screenshot