The National Convention on European Union (NCEU) organized Plenary Conference at the Ministry of Foreign affairs. During the event, USAID and Slovak Aidsigned a memorandum of understanding each side committing to an additional approximate $100K to continue the project for two more years. The MOU demonstrates Slovakia’s forward trajectory along its development journey, moving from a recipient of US development assistance to now an equal partner with the U.S. providing their own bilateral assistance to help other nations rise up.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov and his colleague from Slovakia, the Minister Miroslav Lajčák, delivered opening remarks on the conference highlighting the perspectives of the country on its path toward the European Union.
Minister Nikola Dimitrov thanked the Slovak Republic and Mr. Lajčák for supporting the euro integration path of North Macedonia. He particularly emphasized that the implementation of the National Convention on the European Union is a concrete expression of that support. Mr. Dimitrov noted that progress towards European integration was significant, and positive signals for significant achievements also came from the Luxembourg European Council Summit on June 18th. Regarding the convention, the minister stressed that NCEU-MK is an important forum that involved more than a thousand stakeholders in numerous sessions. The National Convention provides assistance to national institutions in order to successfully carry out the tasks assigned, in which he cites the reform of the Prosecutor’s Office as an urgent task to accelerate judicial reform.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as before, will continue to support the NCEU with all possible means,” Minister Dimitrov said, concluding his address.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajcak, wishing for a prosperous future for our country, stressed that he sees such a future in the European Union. The national convention unites people, gives them opportunities to share ideas and find a way to a better future together. The Convention has achieved great success in the Western Balkans Region, in Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro.
“I am very pleased that in 2017 it started in Macedonia as well. The adoption of European integration structures cannot be achieved by decoration. The NCEU is of great help for three reasons: it enables inclusive public debate on European integration; secondly – institutionalizes the public debate by fostering partnerships on different segments of society; third – connects decision-makers at all levels of society. Thanking to the European Movement as a local implementer and to the SFPA, he pointed out that the NCEU is a solid instrument used in Slovakia at a time when the country was lagging behind in the EU integration process. In his speech he also referred to the current situation in the European Union as a political and economic union, adding that people must feel for themselves that it is their community and that they benefit from it. Fifteen years after Slovakia’s accession to the EU, there have been more crises – economic, political, populist, Brexit, which has resulted in low confidence in the Union, which is why Slovakia still practices the National Convention to hold public debates and educate young people in line with European values. Being a member of the EU means making compromises, thinking of others.”
In the end, he stressed that he encourages the state to continue in the same direction and that Slovakia will continue to support Macedonia on this path.
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Bujar Osmani started his address with the fact that the state is currently living its crucial moment in terms of European integration, citing the European Council’s decision from the previous day, according to which the date of negotiations is delayed for several months. He noted that getting a date for the start of negotiations is not a gift, but a decision based on the tasks listed in the EU Progress Reports. North Macedonia is the only country in the region that is eligible but still haven`t received a negotiation date.
“The European Union is an integrating factor in the country with the exceptional support of all stakeholders. Exploratory screening has brought particular enthusiasm to the administration, and the civil society and other stakeholders have created strong foundations for progress towards the Union. Going forward with major steps towards the Union, we now demand that the Union is open to us. ”
H.E Mr. Samuel Zbogar, Head of the Delegation of the European Union stressed that the European Commission report shows that the country is eligible for membership, but due to certain aspects of dialogue and accession in some member states, the date for start of negotiations is expected to be this fall. “Being here at this table means that I support the National Convention on the European Union, as well as the European movement that implements it here,” he said at the outset of his address.
Artan Grubi, Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs in the Assembly of North Macedonia, first referred to the European Council’s decision to postpone the start of accession negotiations by reporting on his written response to the Chairmen of the European Affairs Committees in the National Parliaments of the Union in which he recalls the full commitment of the state, as well as the progress made in that regard over the past two years.
“When the co-founders created the European Union they made unambiguous bold decisions to bring peace to the Continent. I don’t believe that when making decisions they were thinking about how to win the next election, “Grubi said. He added that major changes have been made in the last two years and that acknowledging that he has done even more than required is not satisfying. “We are not looking to pass exams without learning 35 lessons. It is important for us to get a negotiation date, but that does not mean that we will stop learning the lessons. North Macedonia’s dream of EU membership sometimes resembles a nightmare – constant walking, sweating, but you never reach the goal, because the goal is constantly moving.
In her remarks, Acting Country Representative for USAID North Macedonia, Gretchen Birckle, emphasized that “Today also offers us the opportunity to showcase what we at USAID call the development journey – helping our partners move from recipients of development assistance to being equal co-partners providing joint assistance elsewhere. Our partnership with Slovakia is a perfect example of that journey. Slovakia has transformed in a very short time, from being a recipient of USAID assistance in 1990 to now an international donor in its own right, helping other nations rise. I am optimistic for the day when we have a similar partnership here in North Macedonia”.
The NCEU is working as an open, continuous, and inclusive forum for achieving a wide social consensus on issues related to the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to the European Union exemplifying the journey toward self-reliance. Currently, the NCEU works in four exceptionally important chapters: Agriculture and Rural Development (Chapter 11), Social Policy and Employment (Chapter 19), Judiciary and Fundamental Rights (Chapter 23), and Justice, Freedom, and Security (Chapter 24).The National Convention on the European Union with its four working groups is an excellent platform for all stakeholders in the country, from the government to civil society to the private sector, to show a genuine commitment to furthering the EU accession agenda and transferring the recommendations from the working groups into action plans and real results.