Skopje, 30 October 2023 (MIA) - I'm here today to tell you and the citizens of North Macedonia that you are on a good track to join the European Union. I'm very much looking forward to welcoming you. I must say it is really amazing to see the progress that North Macedonia has done, and the determination to move forward in the right direction is also impressive. We know that the European Union has a long history of accession, it was not always a Union of 27, but we've had one step over the next of enlargement, and it was always a history of respect for each other and for every nation and the respect for the diversity we represent. Therefore, one day, I am absolutely convinced that we will welcome North Macedonia with its unique identity and its own language. Today we do have already 24 different languages in the European Union, and one day we will count Macedonian among them, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in Skopje on Monday.  

"North Macedonia has already come such a long way, so my wish is that you should absolutely keep going. The screening process is indeed progressing smoothly, the negotiation teams are doing a fantastic job, and we aim to open negotiations on the 'Fundamentals' cluster still this year and I know we can do it. I am aware of course of the ongoing work on amending your Constitution. The first steps have been taken in your Parliament, and that's good news. Now I hope all parties will seize this opportunity to move forward. Because there is a true momentum now, all over the European Union and those countries who want to join the European Union, for the enlargement process. So, it is important to seize that moment. I know how these processes can be challenging, of course, and I'm sure you will live up to your reputation as a successful multiethnic society. You already embody what is the motto of the European Union - united in diversity, and this is actually also why Skopje has been awarded the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture 2028," said von der Leyen. 

She voiced hope that all parties will back the constitutional changes, as they all have responsibility for the country's future.

Von der Leyen's second message is "we need to bring our economies closer". 

"And that's what we have already been doing. If we look back, we have our €30 billion investment plan for the Western Balkans, it's delivering fast," she said, noting the investments in renewable energy including in the Oslomej and Bitola solar power plants, the Bogdanci windpark, as well as the €80 million support in dealing with last year's severe energy crisis.

"We stood together, and we moved mountains," von der Leyen pointed out. 

PM Kovachevski said von der Leyen was one of North Macedonia's greatest friends who always arrives with concrete steps and plans for the accession to the EU, adding that today they discussed the concrete growth plan that will bring concrete benefits to the country and its citizens before the full-fledged membership. 

"We asked for this plan, and therefore I want to thank the EC President for drafting the plan. The plan will give a new, strong impetus to the country's European integration. With its implementation, which also depends on the EU, but above all on us, the Western Balkans will double the volume of the region's economy, and our economies will grow by about 10 percent," said Kovachevski. 

Some of the benefits brought by the plan include the possibility of entry to the EU market for Macedonian products, increasing the scope of duty-free products, smooth movement of services in the area of ​​e-commerce as well as increasing the quality of education.

After arriving late on Sunday, EC President von der Leyen met with President Stevo Pendarovski, discussing the process of European Union accession negotiations, political situation in the country and regional developments. On Monday she was welcomed by PM Kovachevski with the highest state honors, followed by a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference. 

Von der Leyen alongside PM Kovachevski Deputy PM for European Affairs Marichikj and EU Ambassador Geer are also visiting a fruit and vegetable processing plant near Skopje, which has received EU funds within the IPARD programme.

The EC chief's tour of the Western Balkans also includes Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Photo: MIA / Government of the Republic of North Macedonia