Mucunski: The EU accession process must transform our society, not our national identity

The enlargement of the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkans is no longer only an investment in the region’s stability — it is a strategic investment by Europe in its own security, strength and future, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timčo Mucunski, declared tonight in Skopje, as the Fokus portal reports.

Mucunski spoke at the opening of the conference “European Dialogues: European Heritage and the Future”, organized by the French Institute in Paris, the French Institute in Skopje and the Embassy of France in North Macedonia, which will last until October 2. In his speech, he underlined the key role that the young people of the Western Balkans have in shaping Europe’s future.

“The accession process must transform our society, strengthen our institutions and create more opportunities for our citizens. It must not transform our national identity”, Mucunski said, according to Fokus, adding that EU membership remains the country’s strategic determination.

The statement comes on the eve of the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is expected in Skopje on Friday as part of her Western Balkans tour, where the issue of the Bulgarian blockade and the progress of integration are expected to be at the center of talks with the country’s leadership.