Rumen Radev: In order to be sustainable and irreversible, the EU enlargement process must be built on the actual implementation of the membership criteria

In order to be sustainable and irreversible, the European Union enlargement process must be built on the actual implementation of the Copenhagen criteria for membership. Even when the new geopolitical dynamics highlight the important importance of EU enlargement, the principle of preserving one's own merits should remain leading in the assessment of candidate countries. This was the position that Head of State Rumen Radev expressed at a meeting at the presidential institution with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

During the conversation, the two discussed a number of topics regarding European integration and related reforms. In this regard, Rumen Radev expressed hope that the Republic of North Macedonia will proceed with the implementation of the 2022 European consensus as soon as possible, which will also open the country's path to starting negotiations for EU membership.