site.btaNorth Macedonia's Foreign Minister: Confidence in EU’s Expansion to Be Restored Through 'Integration before Membership' Concept

Northern Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani took part in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Western Balkan countries in the framework of the UN General Debate in New York, organized by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Foreign Ministry in Skopje said on Monday.

"Citizens need to feel the specific benefits of European Union (EU) membership while the negotiations are ongoing, not after the country's formal entry into the EU. Confidence in the Union’s expansion will be restored through the concept of 'Integration before Membership' and citizens will regain confidence in the success of the negotiation process and the challenges we face during integration," Osmani pointed out.

He underlined the importance of the "Initiative 8" (for coordination, cooperation and support of investment projects along Corridor 8) between Italy, Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, stating that it represents an excellent opportunity to promote cooperation and support the implementation of the pan-European Corridor 8.

"The completion of the rail and highway link will contribute significantly to the economic growth of the region and the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU," Osmani noted.