European External Action Service

05/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2024 04:10

Ambassador David Geer's speech on the occasion of Europe Day

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Ambassador David Geer's speech on the occasion of Europe Day

Dear friends,

Welcome to Europe Day at the Laboratorium! Look around! It's a magnificent space. With one foot in the past - as the former printing works of the Nova Makedonija newspaper. And, one in the future as a space for creativity and innovation.

So much so that is has been recognised by the European Commission in its 2024 New Bauhaus competition, for which Laboratorium was a strong runner up.

But Laboratorium is also about young people. As one of the owners said to me, "if - thanks to the activities and opportunities created by this space - we can keep 1,000 young people in the country we will have succeeded".

So, it's a place bringing together past and future, creativity and innovation and most of all young people. The very best of what the EU and North Macedonia can give. And, as you can see, we have also used this opportunity to go green, highlighting principles for a green, sustainable future - perhaps our greatest common challenge.

Let me take this opportunity straight away to thank the European Investment Bank with whom we have partnered today and to our sponsors tonight, Lazar Winery and Pivara Skopje. And, of course, Laboratorium. Warm thanks also to cellist Maja Mihajlovska and DJ Bojan Janev, DJ Soul Case.

We come together today shortly after the holding of national elections. I would like to congratulate everyone concerned for the peaceful and democratic environment in which these took place.

Now for those who are currently negotiating to form a government, your task will be to turn the rhetoric of the election campaign into a modern reality, to heal the divisions that were evident, bringing citizens together from across all communities on the basis of a positive reform agenda.

Virtually every party has stated that it is committed to North Macedonia's EU path. Well the challenge will be to make good on this promise - advancing on fundamental reforms, adoption of the constitutional changes, opening the clusters. While the main responsibility will lie with the new government, real progress will only be possible if the process is driven from across the political divide and across the State institutions.

If you do this, the potential of this country is enormous. You will strengthen the State, improve living standards, increased investments, and begin to reverse the brain drain. You will strengthen your identity, and yes, your language. You will restore confidence in the future. You will give hope to the young people of this country.

For our part, we will stand by you every step of the way politically, economically and financially including through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. And you will be able to benefit from the remarkable momentum that we have witnessed on enlargement in recent years.

Dear friends,

This is the last Europe Day that I will celebrate in my mandate as ambassador. I would like to just say a few words about the wonderful experience Paul and I have had in this beautiful country. You have shown us the very best this country can give from its wonderful natural heritage - From Shar to Pelister, from Prespa to Ohrid, from Struga to Berovo, from Tetovo to Strumica - its rich artistic culture - from Lichenoski to Mazev, Nehat Beqiri, from Stefanovski to Shopov, Fejzi Bojku, Toshe Proeski, Vlatko Stefanovski, Selami Kolonja. And, the list goes on… you showed us its diversity and the generosity and warmth of its people. You have taken Paul and me into your homes and captured our hearts. Thank you.

There will be time to say goodbye properly in the coming months and to thank you all personally. But in the meantime, let me end with the words of the great Kocho Racin, who I believe captured precisely the very best of the Macedonian people and a vision shared by the European Union - which we celebrate today here in Laboratorium - and which we express through the motto, "united in diversity".

Though I did not build a house,

with high boxwood gates,

the whole world is my brotherly house…"

a brotherly heart that opens,

heart - highest gate,

heart - widest house.