Spasovski: Numerous challenges in the region, especially in northern Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina

The security situation in North Macedonia is calm and stable, but the region is facing numerous challenges – the situation is not good in northern Kosovo, nor are the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia's Minister of Internal Affairs, Oliver Spasovski, says for Kosovo Online.

"The security situation in North Macedonia is calm and stable, with no indicators that anything could disrupt it, and that is most important for us. NATO membership has further contributed to the security and safety of the state, preserving territorial integrity. However, the situation in the region is also important because if we want to have a secure state, we must have a secure environment and neighbors," Spasovski says.

He points out that the region is facing many security challenges.

"The situation in northern Kosovo is not good, and the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina are also not good. The region really needs to look to the future, not return to the past, and not look through the prism of history. We need to see where we want to go and what we need to offer to new generations because history is not unimportant, but it cannot be changed, and the future is something we can change," Spasovski says.

He believes that offering a good perspective to citizens, especially the youth, will be the best thing done, and only in this way can the region and all countries progress.

"Therefore, I appeal to reason, to dialogue, to solving all open issues through dialogue, and in that way, we can all work together for the good of our citizens and the future," Spasovski said ahead of the OSCE Summit in North Macedonia, attended by about 70 foreign delegations, including the US Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister.

When asked about expectations for the next year, given that North Macedonia faces political challenges after the OSCE Summit, he notes that in this region, there is no year without political or any challenges.

"In the region, serious challenges are present on the security level, and that is normal because all countries want to boast that they have found a strategic position because they are at a crossroads and significant opportunities and perspectives are not open... In that light, challenges are significant," Spasovski observes.

He expects 2024 to be the year in which North Macedonia will achieve its strategic interests.

"The strategic interest of North Macedonia was to become a NATO member, and it has achieved that. The second strategic interest is to become an EU member, and we are working on that. Not because of others; this is the path without an alternative, for us and for the countries in the region, and for the EU because the Union cannot be fully consolidated without the accession of Western Balkan countries," Spasovski notes.

This, he says, is evident from numerous examples, such as the migrant crisis, which has been ongoing since 2015 and has taught us that a joint approach and a joint solution are needed.

"North Macedonia will have elections for the president, parliament, and government. These are regular elections. I expect that the political engagement of everyone will be such that citizens truly receive a clear vision and perspective on how North Macedonia should develop," the minister said.

When asked if the situation in the Middle East has repercussions on the security situation in North Macedonia, he responds that everything that happens on the geostrategic level always has implications for the security situation.

"As well as Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. You can see how many displaced people there are from Ukraine in the region. The migrant crisis from 2015 until today has created serious problems because it has encouraged criminal structures, human trafficking, cross-border crime, etc. Of course, the crisis in the Middle East has consequences, but our security services work and maintain security in the country," Spasovski emphasized.

Asked if he is satisfied with the EU's action on migration, he said that Skopje had excellent cooperation with the Union regarding migration flows.

"From 2015 until today, we have exclusively good relations and agreement on a common policy and the EU's assistance in combating illegal migration. We are the only country where Frontex has already deployed its units on the southern border, and that speaks volumes about the partnership between the EU and North Macedonia. For all these challenges – the migrant crisis, crime – we need regional cooperation and cooperation with the EU because only with joint policies can we confront global challenges," Spasovski concluded.