Rokas: Difficult times are an opportunity to improve things in the long run

Skopje – Difficult times can be an opportunity to draw real lessons, to commit to actions, and to improve things in the long run. This is exactly what the founders of the EU did 75 years ago. This is exactly what the citizens of the EU are asking for. This is exactly what the citizens of North Macedonia are asking for as well, especially the youth. In the first nine months of my stay in the country, I frequently met with young people wherever I traveled. They were unanimous; they see no other future than becoming citizens of the EU family, said the EU ambassador Michalis Rokas at the reception on the occasion of May 9 – Europe Day, held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje.

At the reception, attended by President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, ministers, mayors, MPs, ambassadors from member states and other countries, and media representatives, the EU ambassador emphasized that this year Europe Day is being held less than two months after the unprecedented tragedy in Kochani, in the context of ongoing geopolitical upheavals, but also at a time of shared commitment and visible steps to improve things – for the country and for Europe as a whole.

– This year we are marking 75 years since the Schuman Declaration. A vision born after the bloodiest war in the history of humanity, which brought together former adversaries who left the disputes of the past behind. An idea that heralded a new era of peace, integration, and democratic cooperation in Europe. Today, this vision is fundamentally challenged by Russia’s brutal aggressive war against Ukraine. Russia has brought back to European soil the terror and destruction of war conflict, attempting to deprive Ukraine of parts of its territory and of the sovereign right to choose its future. Russian attacks indiscriminately kill men, women, and children, which is a clear violation of international law. Faced with aggression, the Ukrainian people have shown heroic courage to defend their country, thereby defending the freedom of all of Europe. We pay tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives and lost their loved ones in this struggle. Glory to Ukraine!, said Rokas.

He emphasized that at the core of the Schuman Declaration is the aspiration for joint work, to achieve mutual values and solidarity, for the good of the citizens.

In his speech, he also referred to the reforms in our country, emphasizing that the Growth Plan gives a significant boost to this process. The EU ambassador pointed out that the country was the first state from the Western Balkans to sign the necessary agreements and receive pre-financing funds from the Growth Plan, thanks to the Reform Agenda, which, as he noted, was composed with the constructive engagement of two different governments and two different compositions of Parliament.

– The same commitment is needed to turn the Reform Agenda into reality. This will allow citizens and businesses to feel the benefits of EU membership before accession, said Rokas.

He emphasized that these benefits are bridging the gap in development, gradual access to the EU Single Market, and visible results in the area of fundamental values – the rule of law and the fight against corruption, including in the functioning of institutions, governance, green transition, and sustainable development. These are aspirations, he added, that citizens and businesses clearly want, as they eagerly want to see their country as a member of the EU.

– This aspiration requires courage, pragmatism, and national unity to achieve. As Commissioner Marta Kos recently stated, “let’s think boldly” – because “our Union has always been built by those who dared to think beyond the limitations of their time.” This applies to everyone – the leaders of the EU, the political elites of candidate countries, and all our citizens, said EU ambassador Michalis Rokas at yesterday’s reception on the occasion of Europe Day, which this year was organized in close cooperation with the European Investment Bank. (May 9, 2025)