Dr. Bujar Osmani:

There is no alternative for us to the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union for geographical reasons. In 2003 during the EU Thessaloniki Summit, a pledge was given to the Western Balkans that its future was in the European Union. The energy which was unleashed from this promise has served as a driving force for the reform agenda in the region, including in the rule of law area. Yes, there are weaknesses at the moment but there is definitely very significant progress compared to ten or 20 years ago. This is mainly a result of this energy arising from the promise that this region will have a future in the European Union.

Another thing that is important is that this energy served as a cohesive tissue for the different conflicting narratives in the region. These countries which were fighting each other just 20 years ago are talking today about building a common regional market as a preparatory phase to integrate into a single European market. This promise of membership into the European Union has been instrumental for peace, stability, and the progress of this region.

Unfortunately, since 2003, there have been no deliverables and the credibility of this promise failed. As this credibility weakened, the strength of this energy to push the processes forward also weakened. As the Deputy knows, in geopolitics there is no vacuum so if one leaves an empty space, all of these tentacles which the Deputy has mentioned will try to fill the space. We have been seeing that in the region.

I must say that last year was an important year with regard to progress because finally we saw some deliverables. North Macedonia and Albania started accession talks, Bosnia-Herzegovina was given candidacy status and Kosovo was given visa liberalisation. We had a substantial breakthrough, if I can use that word, in the process. We need now to maintain this credibility.

I believe that the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has raised the awareness among the European member states that EU integration of the Western Balkans is not only an administrative process but has a very significant security component. If the European Union would want to have a more strengthened geopolitical role it will have to consolidate its lines from within. One cannot move forward without consolidating the wounds one has in one's heart and this, I believe, is the Western Balkans. We have shown ourselves to be a reliable partner. North Macedonia is a member of NATO since 2020. In the past three years, we have shown ourselves to be a most reliable partner of NATO. Today we are the fourth country in NATO per capitafor providing military support to Ukraine. I say to interlocutors in the European Union that this is what the EU will also get. It will get a partner which is reliable, that shares its values and will work together towards making a better region and continent. North Macedonia has proven that.

We have built a functional multi-ethnic democracy which is a unique model that is serving as a reference point not only in the region but even beyond it. Today, I am chairing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, and I travel in conflict regions throughout the OSCE area. I can see that North Macedonia's model can apply to many conflict areas. This is because what we have achieved is as a result of this EU perspective, which has been unique. Also, our culture of compromise, of dialogue, and our ability to establish good neighbourly relations in a very difficult region is a showcase that the EU should also respond positively to, as it should towards countries which have made every effort to meet the criteria which the EU has introduced.