The EU Council put the nationalist agendas of Bulgaria and Greece before EU enlargement, damaged regional stability in the Western Balkans, and undermined the credibility of the EU enlargement process, says the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) following the European Council conclusions on Macedonia.
“UMD believes that the EU should be the bridge that unites Europe. Instead it has become the divider that deepens inter-regional differences, especially between member-states, which blackmail non-member states”, reads the press release.
UMD says Macedonians should be proud of the progress the country has made in terms of institutional reforms and economic development. Since peaceful independence in 1991, Macedonia has built a vibrant free market economy with a stable currency and solid macroeconomics. The country has preserved its centuries-old respect for multiculturalism and religious tolerance. Despite setbacks, Macedonia has emerged as a net exporter of security, making key contributions to international security, such as the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
“By further delaying the opening of negotiations with Macedonia, the EU has once again signaled its inability to live up to its own stated principles. Therefore, Macedonia may need to shift its focus, and concentrate on developing its economy and strengthening its democratic institutions, instead of concerning itself with the aggressive rhetoric of Bulgaria and Greece. What Brussels does not acknowledge is that the Macedonians have endured systematic discrimination in Bulgaria and Greece for over a century, and, even to this day, these countries deny human rights and religious freedom to their significant Macedonian populations. Rewarding this behavior, the EU is now prepared to grant Bulgaria’s and Greece’s governments the status of gatekeepers, to determine Macedonia’s EU future based on how “neighborly” Macedonian society is to these countries. Instead, UMD believes the EU should promote a higher standard for Southeastern Europe in terms of fiscal responsibility and democratic freedom”, says UMD.
