Zaev: Regional Co-operation No Replace for EU Membership

Developing regional co-operation cannot be the replacement but the fastest way to membership in the EU, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in a regional interview for T V N1 given during his official visit to BiH.

All Western countries will respect us if we are connected. Since we will thus jointly conquer these markets. Here are the EU funds from which we will more easily receive tools”, Zaev says, answering the question if he believes in the paper that Brussels wants to create a new Yugoslavia, as replacement for the EU member states.

According to him, for the region's progress the problem lies with politicians, stressing as a personal preservation problem that in BiH, Bosniaks and Croats co-operate in business, sports, culture.

“Problems come from politicians. We forget to enjoy life. We have to live, understand that we're all passersby, how we come and go. BiH brought 3,000 decisions with consensus, but I know there are also ethnic problems. But let's get out of here. Politicians must fight for the rights of other ethnic communities. Thus there will be progress in the region, the prime minister points out.

Speaking of even speeding up Macedonia's road straight NATO and the EU, as well as the dispute with Greece, Zaev says the new government at whose helm is he, has decided to settle disputes with all neighbours.

“Now are excellent relations with Bulgaria and Albania, even with Greece. We decided at every price to build good relations with all neighbors. We seek help to find a way for Macedonia to get closer to the EU. We got candidate status in 2015 and we've been staying ever since. Greece will also benefit from what Macedonia will be a member of NATO and the EU”, says Prime Minister Zaev.

He emphasises that they have exceeded all disagreements with Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, and that there has been a good bilateral meeting even with the new chairman of the government of Serbia, Anna Brnabyq.