The importance of EU enlargement, new geopolitics, security and the economy are the focus of the Western Balkans Summit in Brussels, organized by the Friends of Europe.
The forum is based on the theme of the aspirations that arise on this journey. The country's representative, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikolovski, emphasizing the country's difficulties in EU integration, added that they do not receive an answer from their neighbor and other actors if constitutional changes are the last condition, adding that the pressure falls on North Macedonia, while the Bulgarian side does not want to do anything to balance.
"If I were to list what we have done since the 90s, it would be a never-ending story. We changed the name twice. Initially, it was for external use FYROM, then we changed it for general use, North Macedonia. We changed the currency, the flag, we have changed the Constitution seven times and now it is being asked to be changed for the eighth time. When we talk to people, they ask us if this is the last time. This is a question that has no answer. In communication with our Bulgarian friends and other actors, this is the question. Okay. We have agreements that we do not want, someone else signed it, but is this the last one? Nobody says it is the last one," declared Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikolovski.
Meanwhile, work on strategic economic ties while politics makes its commitments, adds Nikollovski.
"The vice president of the European Investment Bank is also here, where we will talk about major infrastructure projects. The European Investment Bank finances most of the third section of Corridor 8, the railway connection with Bulgaria. Prime ministers from different countries, government ministers, the banking business community are coming, which means a lot to Macedonia. So, we need to be present here, to give our arguments about what we are doing. In addition to the political part, I will talk a lot about the economic aspect, the infrastructure part, which is the focus of my visit," emphasized Nikoloski.
The annual EU-Western Balkans Friends of Europe Summit regularly brings together over 100 participants to discuss current political challenges, enlargement and economic stimulus.
