Finnish Minister in Skopje: Stable, Integrated Western Balkans Is Crucial Element for Better EU Security

Minister for European Affairs of Finland Joakim Strand stated in Skopje on Oct. 2 that a stable and integrated Western Balkans was the fundamental element of strengthening the security and resilience of the European Union.

This was announced by the Ministry for European Affairs of North Macedonia after a meeting between Minister Orhan Murtezani and Strand about North Macedonia’s European prospects, carrying out of the Reform Agenda and the role of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as an instrument for economic integration and “socio-economic convergence.”

According to the announcement, the Finnish minister reiterated that Finland was a consistent advocate of EU enlargement based on merit, and assessed that the foundations for building further progress were reforms of the rule of law, democracy and institutional efficacy.

Murtezani and Strand jointly stated that they believed the Growth Plan, with a package of EUR6 billion and conditioning of financial support with concrete results, opened a new chapter in the policy of EU enlargement and offered real benefits for the citizens even before formal membership, and that the Reform Agenda was a credible path to modernizing the institutions, advancing the rule of law and accelerating economic convergence with the EU.