Sali: Parliament has a key role in European integration and reform oversight

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Bekim Sali, participated today in Skopje at the Third High-Level Parliamentary Conference, where regional cooperation and the importance of parliamentary oversight in the European Union accession process were discussed.

During his speech, Sali said that the return of enlargement to Europe’s strategic agenda creates an opportunity for the Western Balkan countries to accelerate changes and turn political commitments into concrete and measurable results.

He stressed that the integration process cannot rely solely on government actions. According to him, the participation of the Parliament is essential to give the process democratic legitimacy, sustainability, and credibility.

Sali stated that parliamentary oversight should serve to monitor the implementation of reforms, to guarantee transparency, and to strengthen institutional accountability. The Parliament, according to him, should monitor reform commitments, identify delays, and demand tangible results from institutions.

The minister also considered the building of a broad political consensus on European integration as important. He underlined that the country’s European orientation should stand above electoral cycles and party interests.

The conference also addressed the role of cooperation between Western Balkan parliaments and parliamentary diplomacy in building trust, sharing experiences, and deepening regional cooperation.

Sali declared that the Ministry for European Affairs remains committed to transparent and structured cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia.

“Our path toward the European Union will be stronger when it is supported by empowered parliaments, accountable institutions, and well-informed citizens,” Sali said.