Chancellor Kurz: EU is only complete with the Balkans!
The Paneuropean Movement welcomes Macedonia’s continued commitment to its admission to the EU and the Austrian government’s pledge to support all South-East European states on their European path. A report on the meeting between Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. By Richard Gansterer.
Today (30 January 2019), Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev for a working meeting. Following the recent successes in the naming dispute, the political and economic future of the Balkan country was the focus of the talks. The Chancellor stated that Austria continues to stand by the side of the Western Balkan countries, for “the European Union is only complete when all South-East European states are part of the European Union.”
Chancellor Kurz congratulated Zaev on the “resolution of this challenging and emotional issue” regarding the name of the young republic in South-East Europe. For Kurz, it was an issue that had to be resolved “in order to secure a European future for Macedonia, but also for all other Western Balkan countries.”
Austria is now the largest trading partner of the Republic of (North) Macedonia. Economic relations were therefore also discussed, and talks were held on specific projects. Prime Minister Zaev expressed his gratitude for the trust shown by the Republic of Austria and the Austrian business community, which, with several large companies, is essential for enhancing the business location and the living conditions of Macedonian citizens. Through political and economic cooperation, Austria is supporting not only Macedonia but the stability of the entire region.
Twenty-seven years after independence, the name change to the “Republic of North Macedonia” has opened a new chapter in the history of the small Balkan country. Zaev emphasised that, following the agreement, nothing stands in the way of NATO accession, which should take place soon. Furthermore, Macedonia is now preparing for the opening of accession negotiations with the EU. In the course of the constitutional amendment, an anti-corruption reform was also implemented, and progress was made in the areas of justice and the rule of law.
Chancellor Kurz did not wish to name a specific date for Macedonia’s possible EU accession. The admission criteria must be met; only then is accession possible. However, Kurz is convinced that much is happening in Macedonia and that the necessary progress is being delivered, as can be seen from the reforms.
For his “historic” services to reconciliation with the Greek neighbour, Chancellor Kurz presented Prime Minister Zaev with the Alois Mock Medal. The latter saw this award as an “honour and recognition of European solidarity, but also as a duty to continue working for my country and Europe.”
© Featured image: BKA / Dragan Tatic
