President Stevo Pendarovski sent a letter to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which he expressed support for the Ukrainian people and congratulated President Zelenskyy on the candidacy for membership in the European Union.
“For the past three months, the citizens of Ukraine have been heroically defending their country, thus the entire European continent, and the universal values of democracy believed in by the peaceful states and peoples to which we belong.
In this regard, the Ukrainians have proved with practical deeds that they belong to the European family and are ready to take the first steps towards starting the process of integration into the European Union. As a longtime supporter of the idea of a United Europe, I am firmly convinced that today, when war has reemerged on the European soil, the Union must make important political decisions, so that the enlargement process does not stop in the Western Balkans, but continues further, encompassing all peaceful European countries that share the values of democracy”, the letter from President Pendarovski to the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reads.
Below is the integral text of the letter:
Your Excellency,
Extending my cordial regards, let me express assurances of my highest consideration to your country and to you personally, as well as to express overall support for the tragic situation in which Ukraine and the Ukrainian people find themselves after the Russian military aggression.
For the past three months, the citizens of Ukraine have been heroically defending their country, thus the entire European continent, and the universal values of democracy believed in by the peaceful states and peoples to which we belong.
In this regard, the Ukrainians have proved with practical deeds that they belong to the European family and are ready to take the first steps towards starting the process of integration into the European Union. As a longtime supporter of the idea of a United Europe, I am firmly convinced that today, when war has reemerged on the European soil, the Union must make important political decisions, so that the enlargement process does not stop in the Western Balkans, but continues further, encompassing all peaceful European countries that share the values of democracy.
Dear Volodymyr,
Based on this statement, I would like to congratulate you on the successfully completed questionnaire for membership in the European Union and underline that the Republic of North Macedonia, as a candidate country, supports the European path of friendly Ukraine and gaining candidate status during the Council of the European Union in June this year.
I believe that such an outcome will be fair and logical and will support Ukraine’s efforts on its Euro-integration path, as well as additional stimulus for implementation of further substantial internal reforms for a practical rapprochement to the Union.
Indeed, we do not need European aspirations as a political trophy, but as an instrument and process during which we will change and reform our societies in order to reach the necessary standards by which European democracies are recognized. In this context, we expect confirmation that our European friends also recognize and value it.
Mr. President, looking forward to a complete liberation of your country from the occupier soon, allow me to renew the assurances of my highest consideration and wish you good health and success in performing your responsible function in these difficult times.
Stevo Pendarovski
