Skopje, 22 December 2025 (MIA) — The entire region should be integrated into the European Union as soon as possible, according to President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova and Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali at a meeting in Skopje earlier Monday.

According to an official press release, President Siljanovska Davkova welcomed Albania's progress in its accession talks with the EU, pointing out that it was good for the entire region's EU integration dynamics, especially in the current geopolitical context.

The president also said that the Macedonian accession to the EU, after the country spent 20 years as an EU candidate, had become an exhausting marathon with the finish line being moved farther and farther away.

"She stressed that the Copenhagen criteria must be the only requirements for membership and that bilateralization set a dangerous precedent, allowing the blocking of the other candidate countries' European paths as well," the release said.

The Albanian foreign minister expressed her strong support for the Macedonian EU integration and her belief that the Western Balkan countries shared identical goals and values so they should all be taking steps toward joining the European family together, according to the release.

Siljanovska Davkova and Spiropali agreed that regional cooperation was essential for stability, good neighborly relations, infrastructural connections and, especially, for reforms required for EU membership.

Meeting participants also recalled the trilateral memorandum the country had signed with Bulgaria and Albania to set a clearly defined time frame for the implementation of activities related to Corridor VIII.

"Introducing a 'One Stop Shop' system at all border crossings between the two countries will contribute to rapid joint control and stronger bilateral cooperation," the release said.

Siljanovska Davkova and Spiropali also highlighted the need for strengthening economic cooperation and continuing the excellent cooperation within NATO. They also said respecting minority communities' rights was highly valuable for nurturing friendly Macedonian-Albanian relations. mr/