Skopje, 7 May 2026 (MIA) - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali addressed Thursday a discussion organized by the Ministry of European Affairs and UN Women office in North Macedonia on the topic of a gender-responsive roadmap for EU accession.

In his address, Minister Sali said the process of European integration is not just a technical alignment with the European Union’s legislation, but a thorough social transformation in which gender equality represents a key indicator of the quality of democracy. 

“The European Union is a community of values, and equality is one of its fundamental values. That is why the gender perspective must be integrated in all policies, reforms, and institutional processes,” Sali stressed.

The Minister said despite the progress that has been made, challenges remain in overcoming structural inequalities, strengthening institutional capacities, and improving interinstitutional coordination.

He stressed that European integration isn’t measured only through the adopted laws, but also through the real impact on the lives of the citizens.

“Our ambition is to create a roadmap that will be applicable, measurable, and focused on concrete results. This is not just a drafting of a strategic document, it is the establishment of a new standard in policymaking,” Sali said.

Photo: Ministry of European Affairs