Ten candidates have been chosen to study and promote European values in North Macedonia while building bridges of cooperation within the region as part of the EU-initiated Western Balkans network of 60 young people with leadership potential.

According to Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani at Tuesday’s meeting with the candidates, the country has yet again shown it has educated talented young people to promote change as we progress toward Europe.

The network was formed at the initiative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) to promote democracy, tolerance, and social cohesion in Western Balkan countries.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting focused on encouraging young people to nurture European values, safeguard peace and stability, and understand the importance of their efforts to ensure everyone has a chance for a decent life.

FM Osmani said they were expected “to be bearers of inspiring and positive change in the spirit of Europe,” according to the MFA press release.

“Young people bring new energy and enthusiasm, an ability to learn new skills, and enormous talent,” Osmani is cited in the release.

“The youth is the force of a society, the face and the future of a country.

“Hence our efforts to make their voices heard and their opinions taken into account when creating future policies.”

Participants in the meeting also discussed challenges regarding highly qualified young people leaving the country; providing more jobs for them; and promoting entrepreneurship among the young.