Siljanovska-Davkova: Mattarella pointed out that the EU must not allow us to be victims of identity issues or their bilateralization

Rome – The European Union must not allow us to become victims of identity issues or their bilateralization related to identity issues, emphasized the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, at today’s meeting in Rome with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, reported the MIA correspondent.

In a statement to the media after the meeting with Mattarella, the President emphasized that the head of the Italian Republic is our great friend and that they reaffirmed their commitments to the reintegration of the Western Balkans into the EU during the discussions.

– He has already spoken with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about what is happening to us. And not only as our friend, but also as a great friend of the Western Balkans, he said that the EU must not allow us to become victims of identity issues or the bilateralization related to identity issues. He expects, and I expect, that there will be discussions with our neighbors to see what might be the best solution, said Siljanovska-Davkova.

She reiterated our commitments for guarantees at the meeting with Mattarella, stating that “if it is yet another of the changes pointed out by the EU, then not only will we gain nothing, but the Balkans will gain nothing either, because the story of the veto and the bilateralization of Euro-integration will repeat itself.”

– Both the Pope and the President of Italy say that they have been and remain our friends and that on this path they will not forget the principles of the EU, which I reminded again, because the EU without principles and values cannot be a philosophy, cannot be a prestigious and inspiring community, but also the need to sit down culturally with our neighbors, in this case with Bulgaria, and resolve the issue, said Siljanovska-Davkova.

The President earlier today, during her visit to Rome and the Vatican on the occasion of the celebration of the Day of the Slavic Educators, had an audience with Pope Leo XIV. (June 26, 2025)