Stojkovski: Messages from Marta Kos are not new, but bring more encouragement for North Macedonia's progress

Andrej Stojkovski, Executive Director of the “Prespa Institute,” stated that the main message from European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos at the Summit in Skopje is that without the Western Balkans, Europe will not be united.

“From what was said at the opening of the conference, we probably can't expect anything new compared to what EU leaders have repeated in recent years—that without the Western Balkans, Europe will not be united. Geographically, we know this, but is there a new message? Probably not. I think we are still moving within the same framework when it comes to our country, but now there is a bit more encouragement that during the current mandate of the European Commission and Parliament, North Macedonia may make progress,” said Stojkovski.

He added that Brussels expects the enlargement process to be completed.

“The only recommendation for leaders in the region would be to act in line with EU expectations and negotiation requirements in order to make faster progress. Brussels expects that by 2030 it will succeed in concluding the enlargement process with several countries currently in negotiations, and there are realistic expectations for Montenegro, Albania, and, we hope, North Macedonia,” Stojkovski concluded.