The Next Big Enlargement of Europe
From 26 to 28 January 2024, the Macedonian Pan-European Union organised an international conference in Skopje entitled ‘Next big enlargement of Europe - Contribution for the peace or challenge for the stability of Europe?’. More than 70 participants from ten European countries took part.
Speakers included: The President of the International Pan-European Union Alain Terrenoire, the Secretary General of the International Pan-European Union and President of the Croatian Pan-European Union Pavo Barišić, the President of the Macedonian Pan-European Union Andrej Lepavcov, the President of the Montenegrin Pan-European Union Gordana Đurović and the President of the Romanian Pan-European Union Alexandru Nazare, Vice-President of the International Pan-European Union Walburga Habsburg Douglas, International Secretary of the European People's Party Patrick Voller, former Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, former Macedonian Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev, Chairman of the VMRO-DPMNE party Hristijan Mickoski, Secretary General of the Croatian Pan-European Union Vanja Gavran and others.
Alain Terrenoire explained that Pan-Europe has always stood by Macedonia and is strongly in favour of the country becoming a member of the EU as soon as possible. ‘The external borders of the European Union should be fixed and remain so forever. That is why enlargement must be accelerated, because we have no time to wait. It is clear to everyone that Putin wants to revive the USSR with its satellite states, and this war in Ukraine, which is a war against democracy, human rights and the whole of Europe, is heading in this direction,’ said Terrenoire.
Andrej Lepavcov emphasised that this conference was taking place within the framework of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Macedonian Pan-European Union. He added that the Western Balkans should show its vitality. ‘Even though the countries of the Western Balkans are surrounded by the member states of the European Union, this does not mean that they are protected from the influence of third countries. The integration process is delayed and if it is not accelerated, the Western Balkans can be destabilised. If the Western Balkans are not integrated, I don't know how other countries will be integrated,’ concluded Lepavcov, emphasising that the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the judiciary are the most important aspects of integration.
‘Macedonia applied for membership of the European Union in 2004 and was granted candidate status in 2005. Croatia was granted candidate status in 2004, and last year we celebrated 10 years of EU membership. ‘It is a great shame and injustice, especially for the countries of Southeast Europe that are persistently endeavouring to join the EU, such as Macedonia, that this process has been slowed down and interrupted,’ said Pavo Barišić. ‘It is necessary to speed up the negotiation process in every way. It is necessary to stimulate those countries that are clearly in favour of negotiations. The European Union will thereby gain strength and sovereignty. At the same time, it will stabilise the Southeast European region and strengthen peace,’ concluded Barišić.
Like the other speakers at the conference, Vanja Gavran also argued that the European Union should join the countries of the Western Balkans as soon as possible. This is a political decision, just like the political decisions taken at the Berlin Congress in 1878, when the ‘Western powers’ recognised the independence of Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and placed Bosnia and Herzegovina under the administration of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which annexed it in 1908 in order to reduce Russian and Ottoman influence in the Balkans,’ said Gavran.
Programme (EN) (PDF)