The President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Monika Zajkova, emphasized the need for North Macedonia to be as prepared for European Union membership as Iceland, advocating for harmonized legislation and adherence to European standards. This statement was made during a meeting with European Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Union, Marta Kos, at the EU-Western Balkans Forum.

Zajkova urged the EU to be sincere, fast, and creative in supporting North Macedonia’s European path, emphasizing that progress should be evaluated based on the fulfillment of EU standards and values, specifically the Copenhagen criteria. Both Zajkova and Kos discussed the European perspective of North Macedonia and the urgency of accelerating the European integration process.

During the conversation, Zajkova stressed that North Macedonia should not be excluded from the European path, which should be grounded solely on the Copenhagen criteria. They also agreed on an upcoming official visit to Brussels by Zajkova, who also serves as the President of the Liberals from Southeast Europe (LIBSEEN).

Both parties acknowledged that a credible European perspective for the Western Balkans is crucial for the region’s stability and development. Zajkova also expressed gratitude to the EU for its prompt response following the tragedy in Kochani. She highlighted North Macedonia’s participation in the European Crisis Management System as a demonstration of the importance of full European integration for the daily lives of its citizens.