“Geopolitcs has created new possibilities for EU enlargement, but these windows can not stay open forever. My advice is not to repeat the mistakes from the past. Now you can use that possibility. It is time for leadership”, Miroslav Lajčák, special EU representative for the dialogue Belgrade-Prishtina and regional matters of Western Balkans said at today’s Seventh Plenary conference of the National Convention for European Union in Republic of North Macedonia (NCEU-MK) on topic “Cluster 1: Fundamental values of the European Union-Facing new challenges in the context of enlargement” and the Second plenary conference within the project “Let justice rule the region”, organized in cooperation with the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Messages for bringing wise decisions for the well-being of the citizens for faster approaching towards EU and fulfillment of our strategic goals were sent from the Plenary conference.
The president of the European movement in the Republic of North Macedonia and the national coordinator of the National Convention for European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia, Mileva Gurovska emphasized at the beginning:
“Shared practices of the countries that have passed the negotiating process show that the key factor for success of the process is the political consensus and recruitment of qualified, but motivated human resources”, Gurovska said at today’s Seventh plenary conference, adding that the National convention on European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia is supported by EU and the Slovak Ministry of foreign affairs, and previously by USAID.
“This Plenary session is special because it includes regional component within the project ‘Let the justice rule the region’ supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is successfully finishing the second project year. This project has for the national conventions of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia to establish regular cooperation and to implement the methodology of structured dialogue on a regional level.
NCEU-MK successfully finishes it’s seventh year, uniting different stakeholders who have contributed to hold the attention with their devotion and expertise.
With it’s beginner’s enthusiasm, the new Government has the chance to devote bigger attention to the reform process and as result, there will be positive changes not only in regards to fulfillment of the conditions set up for EU membership, but for better standard and better living conditions in our country. Our experience from the shared practices of the countries that have passed the negotiating process show that the key factor for success of the process is the political consensus and the recruitment of qualified, but also motivated human resources. So, out of around 600 adopted recommendations, significant number was taken into account by the institutions. We believe that the dialogue is very important. The democracy without dialogue can not exist. The negotiations begin and end with Cluster 1. It is of key importance for implementing the European standards”, Gurovska highlighted.
The president of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Afrim Gashi at the conference emphasized that the Assembly is ready to start the process of constitutional changes at any time but added that consensus is needed so the process can go forward in accordance with the European standards and not to be burdened by bilateral quastions.
EU membership, according to the president of the Assembly, Gashi, is the only alternative to secure the development and the prosperity of the state.
„Today as we speak for the basic EU values as well as for the new challenges in regards to enlargement, we can see determination and seriousness of or state to improve our status towards EU. North Macedonia has aligned 40 percent of its regulative with the EU regulative. This improvement is proof of our devotion for EU integration. Each law and reform contributes towards fulfillment of the European standards. There is much to be done. We are devoted to continue with reforms that can bring us closer to EU. If we need to talk about the dimensions of the challenges, we are all aware that North Macedonia has passed a long way with many sacrifices and many challenges. We have made big steps and have achieved great results as for the alignment with European standards. Here we can highlight the reforms for the rule of law, freedom of the media, reforms in the public administration, organization of the institutions, reforms for fighting corruption and promotion of human rights. We have proved our devotion to advance in the European process. Therefore, I am convinced that this devotion will be rewarded with full EU membership of North Macedonia. We understand that EU integration is not just our main priority, but the only alternative to secure development and sustainable prosperity of the state. It is important to emphasize that regardless of the bilateral questions among the states of Western Balkan, I am strongly convinced that they should not be obstacle for the advancement of the process of European integration. The region and Europe have long history of open bilateral questions of the states, but as we have often seen, these questions were never obstacle for the process of EU enlargement. Of course, each state whose aim is to become EU member state should work to solve the bilateral questions without permitting that these questions influence in the efforts for realization of it’s European aspirations. Therefore, we see the cooperation with other state from the region as well as with EU as a possibility to create integrated region. I strongly believe that EU enlargement is possible only if the region is closely connected with EU through sharing mutual values, democracy, prosperity and stability. This is the reason why our engagement for strengthening of the bonds and cooperation with our neighbors as well as contribution for sustainable region is essential part of our strategy for eurointegration.
Even though the progress of Albania in regards to the process of integration shows advantage compared to North Macedonia because of the well known conditions it is still confirmation that EU is serious in it’s policy for enlargement with the countries from Western Balkans. We should understand as strong message that EU is interested in stabile and strong Balkan.
The EU integration is important more than ever. War in Ukraine and the Middle East and the wider conflicts are clear indicator that the EU integration is not only request or luxury but it has become necessity, the same as our NATO membership was. Because of this reason it is of great importance to keep our undisputable engagement for stabile and integrated Balkan and to secure that no obstacle, bilateral or unilateral can stop the process of integration. The Assembly will remain a partner that will contribute in EU integration”, Gashi said in his speech, expressing gratitude to EU for their support.
The president of the parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, Antonio Milososki said that there is no doubt that EU has interest for Western Balkans, but that there is justified doubt if the next process for enlargement will be enlargement with full membership or membership in phases.
“As region and as candidate country, we are not perfect. There are many things that need to be improved. But I am sure that we have deserved to start the negotiations for EU membership long time ago but there was always good or less good excuse for those negotiations to not start. In regards to the blockade from Bulgaria I have dilemma if Bulgaria acts on its own in this blockade. During our existence as independent states for thirty years this has not been an official request. Or, there are other states that have nothing against the process of enlargement to be prolonged.
The rules for EU membership have changed. The priority for enlargement, I mean of three-four influential states, the enlargement in the past 10 years is not on the top of the agenda of these member states.
We put maximum efforts to be proactive in the Berlin process initiative that can help in the enlargement process.
The president of the National European Integration Council, Venko Filipce emphasized that they will give full support to the Government for realization of the reforms.
„The path how to move forward is clear“, Filipce highlighted, appealing to Ministry for European affairs to seriously work on the European agenda.
Highlighting that this was his first addressing in the public as president of the National European Integration Council, Filipce explained that he hopes for constructive cooperation.
“The European agenda will be priority during my presidency with the Council for eurointegration. We see a real plan on the table. I commit myself in a stron inclusive process that the Council will be a field whereas the expertise of many institutions and organizations will be united because this is the only way to succeed”, Filipce said.
Miroslav Lajčák, special EU representative for the dialogue Belgrade-Prishtina and regional matters of Western Balkans in his speech spoke about the eurointegration process of North Macedonia:
“Negotiations for membership seek intensive efforts by the whole society. The Government can not do this by itself, it has to be national project and everyone must be carriers, including the Assembly, civil society, the opposition, every town and village and at the end each citizen of your country. If you ask ChatGPT what is European Union, it will tell you that it is a political and economic union which is not wrong, but European Union is above all a union of people united in their diversity and they shape it and they should be it’s carriers, to feel it and to believe it and we should work on this long before the accession period because there are worrying tendencies that can endanger the European project.
When we started the accession process we believed that you will be on the verge of membership and now unfortunately you are not even close. The compromises and the concessions that are asked for EU accession or in your case for starting the negotiations do not always seem fair, but there is no use for North Macedonia if you wait. Do not miss this opportunity and do not risk to be neglected. Because the possibilities as here now and can be lost. This can be a matter of urgency for you. The enlargement really is a priority for the European commission and the European Council. My advice to you is-do not repeat the mistakes from the past. It is time for vision, courage and leadership. It is time to put the national interests and the unity before interests of any political party”, Lajčák emphasized.
The ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to North Macedonia, Özlem Canel noted that the knowledge and enthusiasm for joining EU that is concentrated in the civil sector can help the policy makers in approaching towards EU.
„We want stabile, prosperous region. We will continue to be engaged partner on that road“, the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to North Macedonia, Canel emphasized, adding that the rule of law is pillar of the society.
Tomas STRAZAY, Director of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association spoke about the significance of the national convents.
“If you deal well with the process of the rule of law then the accession process is becoming easer. It is not a coincidence that the first Cluster is called Fundamental values. Wuthout the fundamental values you can not accomplish successful project or in other words, a healthy house. You can not build healthy house if you do not have strong foundations. There are member states that have to fight with these problems, but Eu has come up with an effective response in regards to challenges. If the member states do not work according to these fundamental values and expectations, there is a mechanism that can be used for, in a way, those member states which do not align, not be be published, but to be forced to correct their ways of acting. The same goes for candidate members including North Macedonia. This means that the rule of law and the fundamental values are not connected strictly with the accession date. They are important also for the future EU membership process. EU is one kind of house, our mutual home that needs to be worked on and for that you need a lot of bricks. Member states and candidate states bring those bricks”, Strazay commented.
Aleksandar VELJANOVSKI, Chair of the Legislative and Legal Committee at the Assembly of North Macedonia stated:
“The challenge of establishing rule of law and improving of the efficiency of institutions stands before us. We all know that the rule of law is fundamental and that it gives that legal security that the citizens expect from the institutions. We can not forget that Macedonia is 20 years at the EU entrance and that the expectance for the step forward lasts for too long, even though as state we have implemented and done a lot of reforms, but also we have given great sacrificies on the road to EU. But unfortunetelly even today we face unprincipled blockades that come from bilateral questions that constantly are being put as new requests and by that they decrease the hope and have played the patience of the citizens of the state, who unfortunately more and more have the tendency to leave the state.
In Republic of Macedonia there are good laws written on paper, but the problem is in their incomplete implementation which causes problems among the citizens. It would be good if good practices from the EU member states and our neighbors can be undertaken as such and to be part of our regulative.
We have a paradox on our way to EU that has nothing to do with the rule of law and this is our main obstacle. The new Government has won a big support at the last elections and it must justify this support and we as parliamentary members absolutely stand still on the path of reforms and what has to be done to improve the life in the state.
Radica LAZARESKA GEROVSKA, State Counsellor for Enforcement, Notary and Mediation in the Ministry of Justice spoke about the conditions in the judiciary, saying that there is no room for political interference.
“The problems are the same in years. But from us it is expected their solvation in context of the new challenges. The members of the Judicial council and the Council of public prosecutors are obligated to show and prove their institutional maturity and conciseness in the process of individual decisions for career progress or responsibility of the judges or prosecutors. Taking into consideration that the judiciary is the most complexed area In the organization of the state, in which influence and functions of the three powers are being intertwined, each reform or suggestion for changes is being followed by critics or obstructions. We can not keep only to the promise to point finger towards one or another and to be blamed for the problems. On the contrary, we should show maturity and confess that in certain decisions we have failed to the purpose we serve. Mutual action of all stakeholders in the reforms for judiciary is needed, no mater if it is court, Judicial council, Council of public prosecutors, Assembly or the Ministry of justice. Because only like this we can reach reforms that will result in success and benefits for all of us.
Olja RISTOVA, Judge, Basic Criminal Court, Skopje talked about the changes in the Criminal code from 7th of September 2023.
“With the changes of the Criminal code from 7th September 2023 the executive power has directly interfered in the work of the courts. These changes directly influenced the outcome of the court proceedings with high corruption profile which were ongoing. Most of the proceedings were stopped because of obsolescence. This has reflected negatively upon the quality of the judicial bodies, such as decreasing the fines, obsolescence, decreasing of the trust in judiciary, spreading the feeling of unpunishment in the public, huge expenses and payment of budget funds to the individuals that were prosecuted. Big part of these proceedings were transferred with pre-qualifications in the department for so-called “simple” criminal. So, this leads to repeating of the process for obsolescence of the proceeding because these proceedings when they come to new judge they mjust start all over and again there is the danger of another obsolescence.
Not all judges are subject to infliuences. It has shown that only some of the judges can fall under influence” Ristova believes.
Stefan GOJKOVIĆ, President of the Association of Judge Assistants, Republic of Serbia spoke about the situation of the judiciary in Serbia.
“The efficiency in the judiciary is not connected to the number of judges. We will not solve the efficiency in judiciary by choosing the sufficient number of judges. The administrative and expert personal is important. Judicial assistants are not visible in Serbia, they work important things but are not being well paid”, Gojkovic said.
Saimir TOPUZI, Expert from the Directorate of Policies and Strategies in the Field of Justice, Ministry of Justice stated:
“In absence of independent judiciary, the justice becomes inaccessible for the citizens. Albania has addressed the recommendations from the European commission as well as from the screening reports. In October this year, Albania opened the negotiations for the first Cluster. Albania has achieved success in the judiciary reforms. The Ministry of justice is in the process of adopting the Third Intersectoral Strategy for justice 2024-2030 for addressing the challenges of the judicial system. This Strategy aims to improve the reforms so far for transparent judicial system. This strategic document will serve us as pathway for addressing the rest of the challenges and the legal framework of EU acquis” Topuzi highlighted.
Darko AVRAMOVSKI, Representative from All for Fair Trials, Skopje stated:
“Rule of law is not only matter of the judiciary and the judges. All of us must take our responsibility. We must have serious coordination for the reforms to be inspired from the practitioners. We must encourage the judges to be proactive not only in making laws but in good practices”.
Viktorija TRAJKOV, Deputy Minister of European Affairs stated:
“Before EU membership we must give joint effort and make the the reforms at home. Anticorruption policy of the state is key aspect in the EU integration process. One of the conditions for EU membership is fighting corruption. The fight is really tough, I hope that we all can jointly do something and fulfill the Copenhagen criteria.
Dragan TEVDOVSKI, NCEU-MK Expert, Professor at the Faculty of Economics, Skopje spoke about the solutions in economy mentioning that cash flow must be regulated if we want efficient fight against corruption.
Odd BERNE MALME, Senior Advisor, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime in his speech emphasized that political will is needed so that the institutions can be independent.
Nenad SAVESKI, Judge, Basic Criminal Court, Department for Fighting Organized Crime and Corruption said:
“We need to show visible results in fighting corruption. Without sacrificing the corrupted judges, the only victim will be the fight against corruption”.
Elda ZOTAJ, Lecturer and Expert of European Studies, Aleksander Moisiu University of Durres, Albania stated:
“Albania has taken significant steps in fighting corruption in the past five years, whereas the politicians which were untouchable several years ago, now the earth below their feet is shaking. This has not come incidentally. Albania implemented a judicial reform for strengthening the rule of law. The reforms in judiciary are one of the most expensive reforms since 2019 till now. Today we say it was worthed”.
Zlata DJORDJEVIC, Researcher, Transparency Serbia said:
“It is important for the authorities to declare themselves as big fighters against corruption. But we do not have institutions that implement those laws. We are one of the rare countries to adopt the Law for lobbying. We have 65 registered lobbyists, but there was not political will for that law to live”
The National Convention of the European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia (НCEU-MK) is supported by the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia and by the Slovak Ministry of foreign affairs, and in the beginning by USAID.
Today’s plenary session includes also the regional aspects through the Second plenary conference within the project „ Let justice rule the region“, supported by the Kingdom of Netherlands, that marks the completion of the second project year.
This project enabled the national conventions of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia to establish regular cooperation and to implement the methodology of structured dialogue on regional level. The expert meetings significantly contributed for exchange of experiences and knowledge in negotiating chapters from Cluster 1– Fundamental values.