North Macedonia’s integration into the European Union could be accelerated if reforms are implemented and constitutional amendments are approved, EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas told TVM, emphasizing that the geopolitical moment is favorable and the opportunity for progress is real.
Rokas hopes that the country will use this moment to move closer to membership.
“Therefore, I think that the process will be best accelerated now with the implementation of reforms. Why do I say this? Because, in the period of geopolitical instability in which we find ourselves and with all the challenges that Europe faces, it will be very difficult to set a new obstacle if the reforms are implemented in a qualitative manner. Accordingly, and we all know, including you very well, a step is necessary: ​​constitutional changes, so that we can then move towards the new chapter of relations between North Macedonia and the European Union. The most important thing is that we are prepared for this. We are waiting, and together with you we want to move faster towards European integration. Now the opportunity is real. I hope that we will accept it and move faster together,” said Rokas.
For Macedonia, membership in the European Union means more open access to European cohesion funds.
Rokas emphasizes that Macedonia’s membership in SEPA is the latest European benefit, which is expected to bring economic growth, while the EU remains the main investor in the country.
He recalls that, after a long wait, the opening of chapters with Brussels depends on meeting the required conditions.