“We need a credible intermediate goal,” said the former foreign minister of North Macedonia. Nikola Dimitrov, during a discussion held at the German Marshall Fund of the USA (GMF), as part of the first day of the 4th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Forum, organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, Kathimerini and the Hellenic-American Leadership Council in Washington. He stressed that this process must be rewarded and added that American policy must continue with the same determination to help European allies gain a vision for the region.

Ambassador North Macedonia in the US, Zoran Popov, Diplomatic Advisor to Alexis Tsipras, Vangelis Kalpadakis, Professor of International Relations, Konstantinos Filis, Executive President of the Cyprus Forum, Nikos Kyriakidis, and Gordana Delich, Head of the GMF Balkan Democracy Foundation.

In the same tone, Ambassador of North Macedonia to the United States, Zoran Popov, argued that the accession process needed clear reference points and that the European Union was losing ground in public opinion. “The European Union is losing confidence in North Macedonia. In the case of North Macedonia, the most important thing is the hope that its accession to the EU brings.”

Diplomatic Advisor to Alexis Tsipras, Vangelis Kalpadakis, noted that “the war in Ukraine, the Russian invasion, unfortunately, did not help the process of joining the Western Balkans to gain new momentum, just as they did not help the Greek-Turkish dialogue. Much more concerted pressure is needed on Bulgaria from everyone and from Greece, which has experience in resolving issues through the Prespa Agreement. A much more active stance is required from Germany, which is not leading the way in advancing the accession process, and we should also, based on the revitalization we have in the Western Balkans, step up our efforts and play a leading role in the accession process. joining process procedure.

In the same context, Professor of International Relations, Konstantinos Philis, stressed that a roadmap of mutual commitments between the European Union and the Western Balkan states is needed in order to get on the right track and make it possible to restore the declining confidence of the Balkans in Europe. “This roadmap is necessary for them to believe again in the European idea and the European perspective, which for most people is currently lost,” he said.

In addition, the Executive Chairman of the Cyprus Forum, Nikos Kyriakidis, pointed out that it looks like a cold war is going on and that there is now a great need, will and desire for the Balkan countries to join the European Union and join the bandwagon of the West. Regarding Cyprus, he noted that in connection with these events, he stopped looking east towards Russia. It is positive for the European Union, for the United States, and for the countries themselves that the integration of the Western Balkans is moving forward.

Finally, Gordana Delic emphasized that it is wrong for the West to consider the Balkans as “Western Balkans” and not as part of the Eastern Mediterranean. Instead, China is incorporating them into its broader strategy for the region. He also emphasized that Europe and the US cannot leave issues to the discretion of local leaders, and these are issues related to multilateral cooperation schemes.