Brussels, 20 November 2025 (MIA) - It is very important that there is a serious impetus in the EU for enlargement to the Western Balkans, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski, who is wrapping up his two-day working visit to Brussels, told MIA on Thursday. 

"Several initiatives are ongoing. One is regarding qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council at intermediary stages of the enlargement. The fact is that a large majority of the Member States and the European institutions fully share the view that enlargement should be merit-based," said Mucunski. 

Yet, according to him, what has been happening to the country in the accession process for years is also a fact, so messages like the one today during the presentation of the report on the EU Enlargement Strategy, that bilateral issues must not be used as a lever to block the accession process of candidate countries, are encouraging.

"This is something that gives us hope, but we should also be aware of the reality that is there, which is the fact that we are still blocked by one member state in starting the negotiations. At the same time, it is a fact that we should invest all our energy based on good faith and be focused on finding solutions to all challenges, but of course, I will reiterate what has been a consistent position of the Government for months - that solutions to bilateral challenges should in no way be resolved in a way that would infringe on or question the Macedonian identity, language and cultural distinctiveness," Mucunski pointed out. 

As regards Athens' announcement of an initiative on the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, Mucunski said he believes that Greece will remain a supporter on the country's path to full-fledged EU membership, because the country's integration in the Union is also in the interest of neighbours who are members of the bloc.

"Our bilateral relations with Greece have been developing in a positive direction over the past year. Work is underway on many tangible projects that bring benefits to our citizens and the business community. Here, I am primarily thinking of Corridor X and the interconnector that is currently under construction and being implemented," said the Foreign Minister. 

He added that about a week ago he attended a meeting organized by the chambers of commerce of the two countries, whereat positive signals were given in the area of ​​business and trade cooperation.

Mucunski met with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos Wednesday afternoon in Brussels, after which he attended an informal dinner hosted by EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, while today, alongside Minister of Culture and Tourism, Zoran Ljutkov, and Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, he met with European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef. 

Mucunski noted that talks with European Commissioner Kos focused on several issues, including priorities in the area of ​​reforms at home, the fulfilment of certain reform processes related to the Reform Agenda, as well as the challenges the country faces, including the bilateral dispute with Bulgaria.

"We discussed various initiatives in place for our country to finally start negotiations with the European Union. In that regard, I believe that in the coming period we will begin to see tangible progress in all reform areas that are important for the country," said Mucunski. 

At the working dinner with Kallas, talks mainly focused on the EU's plan for the Western Balkans from a political point of view and the steps related to the integration of the entire region in the Union, as well as common security challenges.

"The meeting with European Commissioner Micallef was productive, and the conclusion from it was that the poor management of the process by the previous City of Skopje administration had unfortunately called into question whether Skopje would remain the European Capital of Culture in 2028. However, in a short time, after the election of Mayor Gjorgjievski and in coordination with the Government, we will manage to preserve the status," Mucunski said. 

He added that the implementation of the ‘Skopje - European Capital of Culture 2028' project will have the support of the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Photo: MIA archive