It was emphasized that EUSAIR, as a platform bringing together EU member states and candidate countries, represents a space for coordinated action and joint responses to regional challenges in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

As reported by FENA's correspondent, at the handover ceremony, North Macedonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timčo Mucunski, said the country's presidency had delivered a clear message that regional cooperation produces concrete results and that the region's European future is achievable.

He said the past year had focused on deepening regional cooperation as a driver of European integration.

''We placed special emphasis on bringing together EU member states and partners still on the path toward membership, with strong support from current EU members,'' Mucunski said.

He added that the adoption of the Skopje Declaration sends a strong political signal and confirms EU enlargement policy as a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, and prosperity.

According to Mucunski, particular attention was paid to inclusiveness and greater involvement of civil society, academia, young people, and local actors in regional cooperation processes.

Concluding his remarks, he noted that Italy will assume the presidency for the 2026–2027 period, expressing confidence that the country will continue to strengthen cooperation dynamics and further advance the Adriatic-Ionian partnership.

At a press conference following the handover ceremony, North Macedonia's Minister for European Affairs, Bekim Sali, said Skopje had successfully hosted both the forum and the ministerial meeting of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, bringing together representatives of the region, the European Commission, and partner institutions.

''Today’s discussions confirmed that regional cooperation remains a strategic tool for strengthening stability, connectivity, resilience, and European integration in the Western Balkans,'' Sali said.

He stressed that by adopting the Skopje Declaration, participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to stronger cooperation, gradual integration, and a credible enlargement process based on reforms and shared European values.

''As the chairing country, North Macedonia remains committed to strengthening EUSAIR's role as an important platform for regional cooperation and European convergence,'' Sali said.

At the 11th EUSAIR Forum press conference in Skopje, Italy's Minister for European Affairs, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), and Cohesion Policy, Tommaso Foti, praised North Macedonia's presidency, saying it had pursued a 'forward-looking strategy' that resulted in the adoption of the Skopje Declaration, which he said would serve as the foundation for Italy’s future work within EUSAIR.

He said EU enlargement to the Western Balkans is increasingly becoming less a matter of a 'pre-accession process' and more a concrete integration process that should be accelerated through the opening and closing of negotiation clusters.

''The Western Balkans are an integral part of Europe, and the goal is their renewed political, economic, and cultural integration into a single European space,'' the Italian Minister said.

Foti warned that the European project should not be viewed solely through geography, but through shared values, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and broader geopolitical challenges.

Speaking on priorities, he highlighted connectivity, digitalization, infrastructure, and demographic challenges as key areas for future cooperation in the macro-region.

He also warned about youth emigration and the 'brain drain' phenomenon, describing it as a shared European challenge.

Finally, he stressed the importance of strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, energy security, and value-chain development, noting that without energy autonomy, there can be no political stability.

''Together, we must build a space of freedom, autonomy, and hope, founded on shared European values,'' Foti concluded.

Deputy Director-General at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, Hugo Sobral, thanked North Macedonia for what he described as the successful organization of the annual forum and presidency.

Speaking about EU enlargement, Sobral said it remains one of the Strategy's key priorities, particularly for Western Balkan countries.

''Interreg and other programmes represent a kind of 'pre-accession laboratory' where policies, standards, and EU fund management are tested,'' he said.

He added that the revised Strategy Action Plan covers a broad range of priorities – from the blue economy and green and digital transition to transport and energy connectivity and demographic challenges.

Sobral particularly highlighted the new pillar of social cohesion, aimed at addressing demographic decline and strengthening the ''right to stay'', by creating conditions for citizens to remain and develop in their communities.

He welcomed the growing involvement of civil society, youth, universities, and chambers of commerce in the Strategy, saying it contributes to its sustainability and broader reach.

''We expect Italy's presidency to continue strengthening the shared European perspective of the Western Balkans and further expand cooperation to civil society,'' Sobral concluded.

(FENA) A. B.