Macedonia has no other alternative that to pursue its Euro-Atlantic integration, after proving itself as a trustworthy and credible partner in resolving the migrant crisis. This is the joint opinion of the Foreign, Defense and Interior Minister, Nikola Poposki, Zoran Jolevski and Oliver Spasovski, which they made at the conference on security threats for Europe and the region organized in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Despite coming from different political backgrounds, with Poposki and Jolevski appointed by the Conservative VMRO-DPMNE and Spasovski from Social-Democrat SDSM, the three high placed members in the interim Government said that Macedonia will continue to cooperate with its neighbors and the EU countries and that there can be no unilateral response to these threats.

"Macedonia is not yet member of the European Union or of the Schengen Treaty, and still we have managed to successfully tackle these challenges, in many areas even better than countries that are part of these institutions. But, the ultimate success will depend on the level of cooperation which we are able to maintain with the other countries in our region. That will help us be perceived by the other European countries as a worthy partner and as a country that helps in problem solving", Poposki said, adding that Macedonia is already seen as an equal partner that is indispensable in achieving security and prosperity in Europe. "This gives added impetus to the work to connect our security structures with the ones active in the EU and to better share information and to train our officials and to prepare for what is coming".

Spasovski also said that, during the migrant crisis of 2015 and early 2016, it became clear that there can be no partial solution to security issues. "It is not because Macedonia is a small country with modest abilities, but because regardless of the size or institutional capacity, there is simply no handling a wave of migration of such size alone. The security of Western Europe depends on the security of the Western Balkans. In these new circumstances we must all share responsibility for the security and peace of our citizens. Geopolitical and economic developments leave no room for complacency and inaction. Instability spreading from North Africa across the Middle East to the Eastern borders of the European Union also requires urgent action", said Spasovski.

Defense Minister Jolevski said that it is important to see that Europe has a comprehensive strategy on how to deal with the wave of migrants which has endanger the two decades long period of stability in Europe. "Advancing Macedonia in the NATO and EU integration processes will also improve the stability not only of Macedonia but the wider region. Our contributions to peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan and Bosnia shows that we are a serious partner of the international community in securing the peace and stability of the world", said Jolevski.