Skopje – Miroslav Lajčák, the EU’s special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and regional issues in the Western Balkans, underscored that European Union membership is the most advantageous option for North Macedonia and the broader region during his address at the Seventh Plenary Conference of the National Convention for the European Union in North Macedonia (NKEU-MK) held in Skopje.
Lajčák noted that the current geopolitical landscape has generated new prospects for EU enlargement, but stressed that these opportunities are fleeting. “My advice is to avoid repeating past mistakes, take advantage of this moment, and prioritize collective interests over party politics,” he stated.
He referenced the remarks of the new European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who emphasized that successful negotiations demand concerted efforts from all segments of society, transforming the process into a national endeavor where everyone plays a role.
According to Lajčák, while querying Chat-GPT about the EU might reveal it as a political and economic union, at its core, it is a community of diverse people. He highlighted the need for these individuals to have faith in the Union amidst concerning trends such as hybrid warfare, populism, and waning trust that threaten the European project.
While acknowledging the EU’s imperfections, Lajčák expressed his candid thoughts on North Macedonia’s European path. “When you embarked on this journey, I believed you would make significant strides; unfortunately, you have not come close to that progress, and I share your frustration,” he commented. He reiterated the necessity of fulfilling all previously mentioned commitments, warning, “Do not let this opportunity slip away, as you risk being left behind.” He also pointed out that, in light of recent geostrategic developments, enlargement remains a priority for the current European Commission, with the President of the European Council actively engaging with the region in recent days. (11 December)
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