Skopje, 24 April 2026 (MIA) - For North Macedonia, as a country whose main strategic goal is full-fledged membership in the European Union, it is very significant to be a part of and actively participate in regional cooperation processes and gather experiences and knowledge to implement within the Euro-integration process. As the Ancona Declaration states, enhanced regional cooperation is an effective incentive that is instrumental to fostering political and economic stability, thereby making it the most solid basis for progress in the European integration process, said Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi in his opening remarks Friday as the host of the 20th Conference of Presidents/Speakers of Parliaments of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) organized as part of the country’s chairmanship of the initiative.

Gashi stressed North Macedonia is committed to Euro-integration, but added it is facing a series of obstacles as part of the process, making the path more difficult and uncertain. “But this,” he said, “does not discourage us from upholding European values and standards”.

The Speaker underscored the country’s focus remains on implementing reforms in the judiciary, education, healthcare, social protection, promoting the citizens’ economic standard, creating favorable conditions for domestic and foreign investments, as well as building tolerance and affirmative approach to strengthening good neighborly relations.

Gashi noted the significance of the country’s accession to NATO in March 2020 as the fulfillment of one of the country’s most important strategic goals. He said it represents a significant step forward in strengthening security and stability, while also serving as a firm guarantee of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“I also want to stress that as a country we are especially committed to strengthening regional cooperation, but also regional connectivity, which, for us, is also a prerequisite for development and prosperity. From that aspect, Corridors VIII and X are among the most significant infrastructure projects. Apart from linking the country to two new ports, this capital investment will create a safe and modern road infrastructure, develop the economy, bring people closer, and open new opportunities for all of us,” Gashi said.

Speaker Gashi said amid significant geopolitical challenges, the focus should remain on cooperation, progress, as well as fostering values that promote peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding. The geopolitical shifts, he added, have imposed the need to define additional priorities for the Initiative.

“The close interconnectedness of countries, as a result of globalization and the immense technological progress, means that threats and challenges, especially related to security, are also global and felt by all of us, regardless of region or continent. That is why there arises the need for shared solutions to shared problems that affect not only the Adriatic-Ionian region but also beyond,” Gashi said, adding that the benefits of democracy are not a given once and for all, they must be constantly worked on, promoted and nurtured, because, he said, they can be lost all too easily.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Zoran Dimitrovski in his opening remarks at the event noted that as a country, North Macedonia is reaffirming the principles outlined in the joint statements of previous meetings, stressing the essential role of parliaments in enhancing regional cooperation.

“As institutions closest to the citizens, parliaments have a key responsibility to promote stability and security, to encourage dialogue between countries and ensure the strategic goals are translated into concrete policies in the interest of the citizens. That is why strengthened inter-parliamentary cooperation and coordinated action are essential for consolidating peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” Dimitrovski stressed.

The Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, noted that the conference is one of the key pillars of the Initiative since it underscored the importance of the parliamentary dimension.

“Strengthening relations among parliaments today is crucial, and it ensures that regional cooperation rests on democratic legitimacy but also on a shared regional vision. This guarantees that the integration process will truly be sustainable. At a time when power politics once again resorts to force and reshapes international affairs, investing in multilateral frameworks such as ours becomes ever more important,” Castellaneta said.

The Secretary General stressed that the Initiative has two dimensions: first, to promote EU enlargement through the integration of the Adriatic–Ionian region, and second, to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among all relevant actors in the region - from institutions to civil society, from local authorities to economic stakeholders.

“We all speak of EU enlargement, but this process is not purely technical. Enlargement is a strategic choice, a political decision, and it requires investment in Europe’s future. Today we must all invest in the project called the EU. On the one hand, this means accelerating and simplifying a process still perceived as slow, bureaucratic, and at times unpredictable. On the other hand, internal changes within the EU are needed. Three elements are essential to move forward: first, overcoming the challenges of unanimity in decision‑making, which can sometimes paralyze the process through the veto of a single country; second, progress toward a more flexible EU; and third, enhancing cooperation in the regions, enabling member states and candidates to carry out deeper reforms,” Ambassador Castellaneta stressed.

In this context, he added, it is clear that the Western Balkans must not be left behind.

“These countries have been waiting for EU integration since the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003. While the European perspective for Moldova and Ukraine is fully justified and politically important, we must avoid creating the perception that the reality of the Western Balkans is being bypassed. Such a scenario risks undermining the project called the EU and reducing stability in the region but also in Central Europe,” Castellaneta warned.

Today’s conference in Skopje is expected to be attended by presidents, vice‑presidents, and members of parliament from the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative member states - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Italy, San Marino, Serbia, and Slovenia - as well as representatives from the AII Secretariat and from North Macedonia as host of the event.  

Participants in the conference will focus on two key themes which will be the subject of two sessions: “Promoting Peace and Stability through Parliamentary Diplomacy” and “Strengthening Regional Connectivity: Corridors VIII and X and the Role of Parliaments”. 

Photo: MIA