Boka: The process of accession to the EU should be objective and based on merit criteria

Skopje – The process of accession to the European Union should be objective and based on merit criteria. The Republic of North Macedonia has been a candidate country since 2005, and I believe that the country’s rightful place should have already been in the EU. I hope that the existing bilateral dispute with Bulgaria will be resolved as soon as possible, and Hungary is available to both sides to assist in this, said today the Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, Janos Boka, who is visiting Skopje.

He made this statement in response to a journalist’s question about the country’s Euro-integration process, in terms of constitutional changes and Skopje’s request for a guarantee that these are the last conditions that Sofia would impose. 

Regarding London’s warnings that remaining outside the EU could lead to destabilization of the Western Balkans region, Boka emphasized that he believes that both for the United Kingdom and for the Union, the stability of the region is of the highest interest and added that he believes the EU is taking all steps at its disposal for the stability of the region. 

– Hungary, both as an EU member and during our presidency, is working towards reactivating the integration process of the Western Balkans, strengthening the European perspective of the region, as this is the best guarantee for stability, said Boka before participating in the open lecture at the University of Skopje, which is also attended by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Viktorija Trajkov.

Boka highlighted the excellent cooperation with the Macedonian Government, as well as the significant support that Hungary provides to the country on its European path. Furthermore, he added, Hungary will continue to provide all assistance, as well as guidance to help in the Euro-integration process. (April 10, 2025)