The European Union’s enlargement process extends beyond mere legal adjustments and administrative compliance, holding significant geopolitical weight, as emphasized by Venko Filipche at a Brussels conference.

Filipche stressed the vital role of social democracy in prioritizing transatlantic solidarity, social equality, and demographic integrity amidst dynamic geopolitical shifts. He argued that the Balkans and North Macedonia, as a crossroads of European aspirations and geopolitical vulnerability, particularly require a comprehensive social democratic agenda for EU enlargement.

He urged the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group to actively engage in the EU enlargement process. He advocated for an ambitious agenda to accelerate integration, ensuring democratic stability and regional progress, warning that the current stagnation has far-reaching, detrimental effects on candidate countries’ democratic development by emboldening authoritarian tendencies and right-wing forces.

Focusing on North Macedonia’s situation, Filipche criticized the government’s lack of readiness to pursue necessary constitutional amendments, which he believes is jeopardizing the nation’s future. He described it as a “self-imposed veto” due to the government’s reluctance to implement changes required to continue the accession process.
The conference was hosted by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.