Skopje, 27 March 2026 (MIA) – Over 70 young leaders from sister parties of the European People’s Party (EPP) across Europe will gather in Skopje in the coming days to discuss the role of technology, stability, and youth policies in shaping the future of the Western Balkans, as part of the event “Youth Vision 2030: Western Balkans, Stability & AI in Education,” organised by Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE, European Democrat Students (EDS), the student organisation of the European People’s Party and Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

VMRO-DPMNE executive committee member and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski said that the event represents a significant recognition for Macedonia.

“I am glad that the Youth Forces Union is hosting the largest event organised by the European Democrat Students, the student organisation of the Europe’s largest party – the European People’s Party. I remember the period from 2004 to 2008 when I was president of the Youth Forces Union, many of my former colleagues now hold top positions in European politics. I firmly believe that the generation currently in Skopje represents the future leadership of the European continent,” Nikoloski stated.

President of Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE and MP Sergej Popov said that the presence of such a large number of young political activists gives a strong impetus for cooperation and exchange of ideas.

“We are hosting young people from all sister parties of VMRO-DPMNE that are members of the European People’s Party. More than seventy young future politicians from across Europe are here. It is very important for our generation of young politicians to network with their peers because you never know who will become a senior political leader or who among our youth will succeed the senior structures in Macedonia,” Popov said.

He said the delegation will also meet with the country’s top officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, and the President.

The Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Skopje, Daniel Braun, highlighted stability and technological development as key drivers of Europe’s future.

“Stability and artificial intelligence are key if we want Europe to move forward. When I speak about Europe, I am not referring only to the European Union, I mean the entire continent, including North Macedonia as a whole. Technological development is changing society faster than ever before. Everything happening in technology must be addressed through education if we want to have qualified young people in the future,” Braun said.

Photo: MIA