The Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, called on Monday 21 March for a new dynamic to accelerate the Western Balkans’ entry into the European path.
Speaking to MEPs from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr Osmani recalled that since his last visit in December 2020 (see EUROPE 12620/23), nothing had changed for his country, which has still not opened its accession negotiations due to a dispute with Bulgaria. However, according to the Minister, the two countries are “very close to finding an acceptable solution”.
“The EU can be compared to an ocean liner that sails slowly and takes time to make a decision, but in times of stormy seas, it must be shown that Europe can make a decision and change course quickly”, he explained, calling for the opening of accession negotiations with his country under the French Presidency of the EU Council.
“It is time to take firm decisions, as the issue of integration is becoming a major security issue in the region (...) We are no longer talking about the credibility of the EU, but about the stability and security of the region and Europe at large”, he warned.
Mr Osmani recalled that his country has been waiting for 13 years to open its accession negotiations, explaining that this long wait had led to a certain disappointment with the EU. While support for membership is at 68%, trust in the EU has fallen from 46% in 2019 to 9% currently, according to the Minister. He also recalled that outside powers were trying to take advantage of the frustration in Balkan societies. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)