Skopje, 12 April 2025 (MIA) - The Western Balkans is not a problem to be managed, but a region ready for progress – not a periphery, but an integral part of Europe’s present and future, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, said in his remarks at the panel discussion “Regional Ownership for a Prosperous Future in the Balkans” held as part of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025) in Türkiye.

Mucunski underscored EU integration as the country’s strategic goal and the advancement of regional cooperation as a key priority of North Macedonia’s foreign policy.

Minister Mucunski, his office stated, stressed the importance of a defined and tangible path toward full EU membership and highlighted the value of regional political, economic, and security responsibility. In that context, he also referenced the recent Kochani tragedy, noting it as a reminder of the importance of good neighbourly relations and the power of solidarity.

Mucunski particularly emphasized the importance of investing in human capital, strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector, and promoting regional value chains as prerequisites for sustainable growth. Only with such an approach, he said, can we prevent the outflow of young people, encourage the circulation of knowledge, and build a long-term economy based on innovation and knowledge.

He also underscored the role of the United States as an important partner that provides support not only for security and political stability but also for the economic development of the region.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade