F.P. Report
BRUSSELS: North Macedonia is the first stop in my trip to the Western Balkans. And I want to start thanking President [of North Marcedonia, Stevo] Penderovski, whom I met this morning, and let me thank you Prime Minister, dear Dimitar [Kovačevski] and the members of your government for receiving me at this crucial moment.
In fact, my visit comes against the backdrop of the barbaric aggression by [President of Russia, Vladimir] Putin against the people of Ukraine. I am repeating: barbaric attack by Putin, that is Putin’s war on the people of Ukraine. Not only the military, but the civilians. The Russian armed forces continue to carry out air missile and artillery strikes targeting civilians, peaceful neighbourhoods, assaulting food reserves, hospitals and schools. In Mariupol, they have trapped civilians, who are being bombed, starved and dehydrated as Russia has cut off water. You could live without heating, but you cannot live without water. They have cut food and gas at temperatures below zero. More than 2.400 civilians have died in Mariupol since 24 February, when – dear Prime Minister – we held a phone call about the situation.
It has been 17 days of war, and during 17 days – only 17 days – 2.6 million of Ukrainian people have fled Ukraine. It is the biggest movement of people since the end of World War II. In Europe we had never witnessed, since the end of the war, such a big movement of people, maybe now they are already reaching 3 million – these are figures from yesterday. But they continue escaping the country under the bombs of the Russian army. Millions more are at risk. It would not be a surprise if we should be able [to have] to host maybe 4, 5 millions of Ukrainians. There are already 3 millions in two weeks.
A journalist [Brent Renaud] was killed yesterday in Ukraine, while he was documenting the madness of this war. And I think that the best way to honour his legacy is exposing the truth that the Kremlin is trying to hide.
But let me say, Prime Minister, here in front of the North Macedonian people, that Putin’s war is not only about Ukraine. It is about the respect for international law and principles. It is about the security and stability of our European continent. It affects all of us in economic and political terms – it affects you, it affects the European Union, it affects the world balances.
We have to talk with the future members of the European Union, as you are. We have to speak, to talk, to raise our voice and to act together.
So, I have to thank North Macedonia’s government for the clear condemnation and the strong stance against this Russian aggression and your firm support to Ukraine and to the Ukrainian people. We have put in practice a massive package of sanctions against the Russian leadership in order to avoid financing this terrible war.
Right now, I want to announce – if you allow me to use this opportunity – that we are finalising the adoption of a 4th strong package of sanctions. A new package of sanctions. This package, that will be approved by written procedure by the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers, will include new measures against Russia’s trade, market access, membership in international financial institutions, crypto-assets, exports of luxury goods and targeting of steel and energy sectors. We are listing more individuals and more companies that are playing an active role in supporting the people who undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty by the Russian government.
This will be another major blow to the economic and logistic base upon which the Kremlin is building the invasion and taking the resources to finance it.
The decision by your government, Prime Minister, to fully align with all European Union’s declarations, statements and restrictive measures on Russia clearly demonstrates your commitment to European Union values and puts you on the European track. Not only as European Union candidate, but also as a responsible member of international community. Because what we are talking about is about moral choices. Not calculation choices, but moral choices. I am sure you have taken this decision on the basis of moral choices.
North Macedonia and this entire region are a strategic priority for us. And we are committed to making the European perspective a reality.
We have discussed about this today, with you, Prime Minister, we have discussed the wider implications of the war for the Western Balkans, and how the European Union can best help you to deal with the consequences and increase your resilience.
To this end, we are going to step up our cooperation on cyber, on fighting against disinformation, which is so much important, because it is so much important to conquer the spirits and minds of the people, and I will put forward proposals to enhance the security and defence in the region.
This is, I hope, an awakening moment for Europe. This is the moment to reinvigorate the enlargement process as to anchor the Western Balkans firmly to the European Union. I know that you have clear expectations, and rightly so. We need to start formal accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible. I hope it will be possible [to have] the first intergovernmental conference.
Let me say that I welcome, I perceive, a renewed impetus between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. I encourage both sides to quickly find a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining bilateral issues, because the enlargement cannot be jeopardised or conditioned by bilateral issues.
In parallel, work on reforms in North Macedonia in the areas of the rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime, digital transformation and the green agenda will ensure rapid progress when negotiations will be launched.
All actors need to work together to advance the European reform agenda, which is first and foremost in the interest of the citizens and is the fastest way for the country to progress on the European path.
I know – because I have been talking with you and your Ministers and many friends that I have in this country – the concerns that you have, the concerns that the people have in their minds. Apart from security, they are rightly concerned about growing prices. Growing prices of energy and food.
Via the Economic and Investment Plan, the European Union will finance diversification of energy supply and reducing dependence. We need that also; we need to reduce dependence to ensure that the prices will not be spiking.
We stand with the Western Balkans, Prime Minister, we stand with North Macedonia. We are currently working on how to integrate better and involve more the region in our initiatives to address the economic impact of this war, to face future shocks, allow economic recovery and clear the way to the European Union.
