Taravari: The EU Is the Only Hope Against Emigration, 200,000 Macedonians Already Have Bulgarian Passports

Arben Taravari, leader of the Alliance for Albanians (ASh), said in his latest appearance on the “Pocetna Presmetka” podcast that the path toward the European Union remains the only hope for curbing mass emigration and the country’s demographic decline.

He warned that serious consequences could emerge if the country continues to remain outside the euro-integration process, at a time when neighboring states are moving forward in this direction.

Commenting on current geopolitical developments and announcements that Albania and Montenegro are likely to become full EU members by 2028, Taravari spoke about the concrete situation with foreign passports in Macedonia.

“Today there are 200,000 Macedonians who have Bulgarian passports. I guarantee you that if Albania enters the EU, every Albanian from here will apply for an Albanian passport. What will remain in Macedonia?” Mr. Taravari said.

According to him, citizens are going through a period of deep pessimism, and the interest in Bulgarian, Greek or Albanian passports is not linked to any other motives, but only to the desire to secure a European passport.

Taravari said that such a document gives people the opportunity to move without obstacles, work wherever they want and return whenever they wish.

“Are we aware that acceptance and full membership in the EU is a kind of hope for people to stay in the country? Is what we are doing patriotic?” added Mr. Arben Taravari, expressing criticism over the stagnation of European integration.