The Macedonian Path to Brussels: Breaking the Vicious Cycle

The Macedonian Path to Brussels: Breaking the Vicious Cycle

By МАЛИНКА РИСТЕВСКА ЈОРДАНОВА (MALINKA RISTEVSKA JORDANOVA)

..."Although the EU is not ready for enlargement at the moment, it still wants to have influence on the Western Balkans - for geostrategic reasons and to maintain stability. The new Enlargement Strategy indicates "intensified geopolitical competition", which mainly refers to the influence of China and Russia in the region, but also Turkey and the Gulf countries."

"Instead of taking a step forward, the EU and the Western Balkans have entered a vicious circle of mutual non-credibility.

North Macedonia could have been a positive example - both in terms of resolving disputes and prioritizing the EU-related agenda. However, with the new obstruction from Bulgaria, it is precisely the Macedonian example that became demonstrative of the reached point of hypocrisy in the accession process, which must be overcome."

"Ultimately, we should acknowledge that the EU cannot simply come up with a recipe that will grant us a better life. We must have our own vision and our own plan."