I ask the EU from my European Strumica, which borders Greece and Bulgaria, whether this way of decision-making in the Union, where a member state blocks an entire region for extremely irrational and nationalist reasons, is a mechanism by which the European idea develops. If not, and I know it is not, then change the way you make decisions. The EU must act in its own interest, in favor of the European idea, which by definition is liberal, open, broad. The European idea must not be blackmailed by nationalism, it must not allow nationalism to veto freedom, said former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at a conference in Strumica entitled "Sovereignty and Europe" organized by the French Embassy.

He believes that the Russian aggression against Ukraine is the reason why the EU must resolve all open issues in the region, especially our Macedonian issue. As he said, there is no excuse for any civilian casualties in Ukraine, there is no excuse for Ukrainian children, who with great care are looking for a safe home all over Europe, and there will be no excuse if a missile falls on the memorial house of Krste Petkov Misirkov in Odessa

According to him, this is a time when EU leaders should dare on these issues and take political leadership, as the founders of the EU did.

- It should be clear to all of us that if the founders of the EU had calculated with their own ratings at that time, then the EU would not have been created. Political courage is worth it, it is the bearer of change. The Prespa Agreement is proof that political courage is worth it, stressed former Prime Minister Zaev.

He also referred to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, saying that the EU should know that it is not easy for the Orthodox population in the Balkans to stand up to the Orthodox Russian people.

- But our peoples are wise, we do not stand against the Russian people, but stand against Putin's military aggression on the sovereignty of a friendly Ukraine. Northern Macedonia has done a lot for itself, but also a lot for Europe. We have given the Balkans and Europe models, goals, examples and successes. The Prespa Agreement is our investment in the future of Europe. We are ready to hear, read and see better examples than ours. In the meantime, we call on Europe to follow our example, underlined Zaev.

On the eve of Europe Day and Victory Day against fascism - May 9, he said that day could be used for propaganda.

- Be sure that May 9 this year will be used for propaganda. I urge all of us, each of us, to stick firmly to our European postulates. May 9 is our red libertarian base. On May 9, Europe defeated fascism, on May 9, this year, let us stay with our heads held high so that we do not allow aggression to take us away on May 9. The EU must take bold steps today, called the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Northern Macedonia from Strumica.

The Ambassador of France in our country, Cyril Bomgartner, referred to the implementation of EU sanctions against Russia, but also their impact on the countries that implement the sanctions.

- There is another issue regarding the indirect intervention of Europeans and the whole Western world in the Ukrainian "theater" and I think everyone knows that if we decide to take that step we will find ourselves in something that will be much more devastating than it is today. Therefore, the issue is not simple at all, said the French ambassador.

He informed that the aid for Ukraine so far is over 1,5 billion euros, and the five million refugees from Ukraine are in Europe and she is helping them.

Regarding the opening of accession negotiations, Bomgartner believes that everyone is committed to starting them as soon as possible, but other issues are important for the French EU presidency and therefore decided to organize more conferences like today, which is held in Strumica, outside the capital. .

Professor Nikola Dujovski, Dean of the Faculty of Security - Skopje, in his address stressed that a new European approach is needed and that now is the time when false news dominates over the truth.

- Northern Macedonia is a member of NATO and that is why we are now discussing these issues much more peacefully. We now very soberly accept the information coming from Ukraine because we are safe. We exchange information with our partners that is very important for all security authorities and we can quickly prevent any destabilization. If it were not for NATO membership, we would have spoken in a very different way, we would have spoken from a very different aspect, we would have taken care of our needs for European integration, but we would have talked about a country that is somehow alone and our security threats would have been very different. thinks Professor Dujovski.

Yves Bertoncini, President of the European Movement in France, Mileva Gjurovska from the European Movement in Northern Macedonia and Simonida Kacarska, Director of the Institute for European Policy - Skopje also spoke at today's event in Strumica, and the Mayor of Strumica, Kostadin Kostadinov, greeted the audience.