Skopje, 14 December 2025 (MIA) - Opening the regional liberal conference “Quo vadis Europa 2025?”, Monika Zajkova, president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and chair of the Liberal South East European Network (LIBSEEN), delivered a strong message that the European future of the Western Balkans must not be held hostage by internal blockades, national vetoes, or dysfunctional decision-making mechanisms in the European Union, according to a press release from the LDP fully released by MIA.

“For the countries in our region, European integration is not an abstract political topic, but a deeply existential issue, a matter of trust, stability, security, and the future. Macedonia has made difficult, brave, and often painful decisions in the name of the European perspective and European values. We have demonstrated compromise, political maturity, and dedication, yet the European path still faces delays that are not the result of a lack of reforms, but of structural weaknesses in the European decision-making process,” Zajkova said.

She emphasized that the European Union’s enlargement must be treated as a strategic investment, not as a political concession.

“Unanimity too often becomes a tool for blocking rather than a mechanism for building consensus. Bilateral issues must not hijack the European agenda or undermine the credibility of the Union. If the European Union wants to be a serious geopolitical actor, it must show the courage to reform and make decisions that protect the common European interest,” she said.

According to Zajkova, for candidate countries like Macedonia, this is not a technical or bureaucratic debate, but a fundamental question of trust.

“Trust that progress will be assessed fairly. Trust that reforms will be recognized and rewarded. And trust that the European Union is a political union capable of leadership, not a space of endless delays,” she added.

In her address, Zajkova emphasized that the Western Balkans is not Europe’s periphery, but an integral and unfinished part of it.

“The stability, democracy, and prosperity of our region are closely tied to the very future of the European Union. Integration must be genuine, inclusive, and irreversible. Any other approach opens the door to instability, external influences, and disappointment,” she said.

She emphasized that regional cooperation is not a substitute for EU membership, but a necessary step towards it.

“Liberals believe that borders should connect, not divide. When we invest in regional cooperation, we invest in economic development and shared European values. This is the path toward a strong, united, and functional Europe,” Zajkova stressed.

She concluded that Macedonia and the Western Balkans belong in the European Union, and Europe must be ready to evolve, reform, and make bold decisions to make that future possible.

LDP

Photo: LDP