Murtezani: North Macedonia, prepared for advancement in European integration

2024-11-12 16:47:53, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Minister for European Affairs in North Macedonia, Orhan Murtezani, says that this year's Progress Report, submitted by the European Commission (EC) a week ago, reconfirms that North Macedonia is prepared to advance towards membership in the European Union ( EU).

However, he stressed that the country should be aware that EU integration is more than "meeting technical standards".

Murtezan's statements came during an event organized by the International Balkan University in Skopje, entitled "Perspectives for a common future, and EU-Turkey Relations". The ambassadors of Hungary and Turkey in North Macedonia, Andras Klein and Fatih Ulusoy, also participated in this event.

"We have already entered a key phase of addressing the initial criteria for the first chapter on the rule of law and fundamental principles. In addition, we have presented road maps that address justice reforms, minority rights and public administration reforms. Each of them is a goal, as well as a commitment, that demonstrates our capacity to undertake lasting and real changes", said Murtezani.

Consequently, the first chapter that Minister Murtezani mentioned includes essential reforms in areas such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights, as well as improving transparency and the fight against corruption. Two main conditions have been defined for the opening of this chapter: the fulfillment of basic values ??and the preparation of the guide for the rule of law, as well as the preparation of the guide for the reform in public administration.

The ambassador of Hungary, Andras Klein, whose country holds the presidency of the EU from July 1 of this year, praised North Macedonia's efforts to meet the membership criteria, citing the reform agenda as an example that enables the country significant financial benefits from the EU Growth Plan.

On the other hand, the ambassador of Turkey, Fatih Ulusoy, emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between Turkey and the EU and supported the European integration process of North Macedonia.

"Turkey is committed to supporting the Western Balkans on its European path," said the Turkish ambassador, adding that relations with the European Union are essential for a stable and common future, but added that "the EU should not allow its strategic interests to be harmed by some member states that abuse the solidarity of membership and the right of veto".

Klein announced that on December 18 there will be a summit of EU countries with the region, in Brussels.

"I hope that there will be important and essential political messages for the Western Balkans".

"We will do whatever we can to promote the accession process of North Macedonia. It's not up to us, but until the opportunity exists, we won't give up," Klein emphasized.

During the two-day visit (September 25 and 26) of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, to North Macedonia, the news came from Brussels that Albania will open the first chapters of accession negotiations with the EU, officially separating from North Macedonia. , even though both countries were in a joint process when negotiations began two years ago.

Such a decision was taken by the ambassadors of EU member states on September 25. The reason was that North Macedonia has not fulfilled the condition set by Bulgaria to include the Bulgarian minority in the preamble of the Constitution.

For the Government in Skopje, the main condition for the continuation of negotiations with the EU is the amendment of the Constitution for the inclusion of the Bulgarian minority in it. Until now, this process has been bypassed. The government has proposed that even if those changes are made, they should be made with prolonged implementation.

A few days ago, Arben Taravari, leader of one wing of the Alliance for Albanians, and one of the leaders of the Albanian coalition VLEN, part of the Macedonian Government, declared that he is optimistic that by the new year there will be a solution to the constitutional changes.

"There will be constitutional changes, I think. I am very optimistic that by the new year we will find opportunities for constitutional changes", declared Taravari on Sunday, during the fifth extraordinary Congress of the Alliance for Albanians.

Radio Free Europe tried to ask Minister Murtezani during Wednesday's event about the possibility of implementing constitutional changes by the end of this year, but did not receive an answer./ VOA