In his introductory speech at the conference “Perspectives 2019”, organized by CIVIL – Center for Freedom, German Ambassador Thomas Gerberich, outlined that this is a very important time for Macedonia, following the implementation of the Prespa Agreement and especially the ratification of the NATO accession protocol in the Greek Parliament.
“The road ahead of you and us will not be easy and at times will be painful. And time is running! The European Council will decide in June 2019 whether the enlargement and accession negotiations will start, depending on the further progress of the reforms. One thing is clear! The EU perspectives are real for you, and more realistic than ever before”, said Gerberich.
The ambassador outlined that regarding the reforms, significant steps have been made, especially in the domain of the judiciary, administration and the fight against corruption and organized crime.
“I honestly hope that you will succeed and that the negotiations will start by the end of 2019. I am sure that your society and the government will continue focused on the path of the reforms, regardless of internal and external pressures”, stated Gerberich.
At the conference “Perspectives 2019, introductory speeches were given by German Ambassador Thomas Gerberich, Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Mila Carovska, Prof. Mirjana Najcevska, Dzevdet Hajredini (former Finance Minister), Aleksandar Krzalovski (MCIC), Mersiha Smailovic (Legis), Koco Andonovski (LGBTI Support Center) and Faton Aliti. Biljana Jordanovska, Dehran Muratov and Xhabir Deralla spoke on behalf of CIVIL.
М. Ivanovska
camera and editing: Аrian Mehmeti
photography: Biljana Jordanovska
Translation: N.Cvetkovska