Skopje, 20 February 2026 (MIA) - We are tired of listening to the apologies of former European officials and politicians about how unjustly we were treated during their time in office. Macedonian citizens don't need pity and post-festum apologies but timely, ex-ante solutions to unblock our Euro-integration process. Macedonian citizens deserved to be European citizens a long time ago. This is the only way for the Union to clear its conscience to the Macedonian citizens and the Western Balkans, said President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova at the opening of an international conference of the Pan-European Union of Macedonia on Friday.

President Siljanovska Davkova said Macedonian Euro-integration has been too long, full of obstacles and unjust requirements that no other candidate country had faced before.

According to her, the Western Balkans is the missing piece in the European mosaic.

"Without us, the European Union is incomplete, vulnerable and exposed to risk," said Siljanovska Davkova.

Referring to current geopolitical developments, the President said the European Union must not allow for the creation of new ideological and political barriers that keep the region in a state of uncertainty and make it susceptible to influence from third parties, while adding that delayed enlargement creates risks not only for the Western Balkans but European security as well.

"Our message is clear. Europe cannot be fully secure as long as the Western Balkans is out of the EU. Our vulnerable points are Europe's vulnerable points," said Siljanovska Davkova.

Austrian Ambassador Martin Pammer addressed the challenges of enlargement and the need for real responsibility and will, both in the Union and candidate countries.

"This conference is the beginning of the future for the countries in the Western Balkans, this time dedicated to the global challenges, giving focus on the necessity for members and candidates to move closer. This process is a certainty and it has been a process of integrating Southeast Europe for 20 years, albeit with partial achievements, mistakes and failure. Nevertheless, it is an unfinished process," said Pammer.

The Ambassador said too many political requirements by individual member-states and "irrational bilateralization" undermine the essence of the European process, while noting that Austria is a long-standing supporter of North Macedonia's European integration and wishing the country success in its reforms.

Pan-European Union of Macedonia President Andrej Lepavcov said 2026 is expected to be one of the most dynamic years with regard to European integration, including more activities and rising interest from European partners, but also many open issues regarding the future enlargement model.

"I am pleased we are here to discuss topics that will be in this year's focus - enlargement, economic resilience and regional cooperation," said Lepavcov.

He said that economy is becoming an increasingly important factor amid global turbulence, adding that regional cooperation is critical for the countries of the Western Balkans.

The international conference “The European Future of the Western Balkans: Political Integration, Regional Cooperation and Economic Resilience in Times of Global Challenges” is organized by the Pan-European Union of Macedonia, in cooperation with the Pan-European Union of Austria, the Otto von Habsburg Foundation, and the Institute of the Regions of Europe based in Salzburg.

Photo: MIA