I hope our neighbours will be the engine not the obstacle on our EU path and to jointly enjoy the benefits of the political, economic and social transformation of the region, FM Bujar Osmani said Thursday addressing the virtual conference Western Balkans Beyond 2020: Actions and Decisions in Times of Pandemic.
“I call on our European friends to recognize the momentum and not to miss the chance in front of us to finalize the year as brilliantly as it started, Osmani said, who delivered keynote speech at the panel “Getting it Right: From a renewed accession process to political, economic, and social transformation of the region.”
Osmani spoke about our country’s efforts in the European integration process, as well as our expectations for timely adoption of the negotiating framework, under the principles of the new methodology for accession negotiations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
“The Balkan countries belong to the European family – geographically, historically, culturally, in terms of values, and they see their future as part of the European Union. The perspective of EU membership is a mobilizing factor that unites all social actors and a driving force for successful implementation of reforms and addressing the challenges we face on that path,” Osmani noted.
The event was organised by the European Liberal Forum (ELF), supported by Liberal Integration Foundation and co-funded by the European Parliament.
MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, who is European Parliament rapporteur for North Macedonia, delivered opening remarks at the conference, while Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement delivered keynote speech.
