Why is EU membership the main strategic objective for Macedonia?

[Rogi]

Why is it that the politicians in Macedonia and, it seems, the Macedonian people, are willing to give up the Macedonian identity, history, language and all that we shouod hold dear and sacred, for the promise of EU membership?

What is it about EU membership that is so alluring and why is it constantly touted as the most important strategic objective?

I cant make sense of it.

• Is it because joining the EU 'removes the border' between the Republic of Macedonia and the region of Macedonia? Can't imagine this is it, for that would imply a patriotic reason and that goes counter to the sellout of the identity to get there.

• Is it because money will fall from the heavens for the Macedonian people? Thats not likely given the corruption in Macedonia and what we seecin countries like Bulgaria

• Is it because the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia can move away into wealthier European countries? That's already happening and will probably increase, but that should be a reason for the Government NOT to want it, as it will shrink the economy

• Is it because there is greater access to EU funds for the corrupt politicians to steal? Thats likely, but then why would the people of Macedonia want it? What's in it for them?

• Is it because there will be a greater exodus of the Albanian population and possibly bring about an ethnographic shift and political power balance shift? Unlikely, given this is already happening with Albanians in Macedonia living in Switzerland, except the power balance shifts in favour of the Albanians who come back from Switzerland with money they spend in Macedonia.

What is it, really?

[Risto the Great]

First and foremost, I believe it's the ability to move to a more prosperous nation. Secondly, it's the myth of money falling from the skies once they join.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Travel between the different parts of historical Macedonia is relatively easy these days so long as one has a passport. And if an exodus occurs as a result of EU membership, both Macedonians and Albanians will participate. Besides, patriotism and demographics don't feature as motivating factors in the northadonian political strategy. So, neither of the above.

The economy in Macedonia is the least of the government's concerns. If Macedonia joins the EU, the funds will start rolling in (supposedly). That is the key objective for the politicians. Then, money for building projects and infrastructure will be diverted to their own pockets, and government contracts will be awarded to businesses in which they have an interest. Basically, status quo, with more money.

Moving to a more prosperous country is the primary reason for many young adults and professionals, who are disillusioned and have all but given up on improving Macedonia. This will benefit the larger economies in the EU, which has no intention of improving the Balkans to the extent that it can compete with western Europe. The EU needs servants, not peers.

The "money will fall from the heavens" myth is for the working class and agricultural population, who have been led to believe that once Macedonia is in the EU, their living standards will improve overnight. There will be more factories, more jobs, more markets, more trade. Perhaps, perhaps not, but there will also be more debt, more servitude, more regulation, and more corruption, all of which could've been mitigated over the past 30 years.

In short, the reasons why they're prepared to make such sacrifices are greed, apathy and naivety, respectively. Not everybody is to blame, of course, but there's plenty of blame to go around. Ultimately, there are many people who have failed Macedonia and most politicians have failed them both. The situation there makes it very difficult to have a "glass half full" perspective, but I still hope that a movement will arise in which the people will regain an appreciation of their worth and come to understand that there is a better alternative to EU membership.

[Rogi]

Latest polls show that Macedonian support for EU membership has dropped to its lowest level since independence, at 53% according to the last Balkan Barometer survey (it was at 57% last yea
r).

If you consider that Albanian and Kosovar support for EU membership is at 84% and 91% respectively, and you therefore assume Albanians in Macedonia are overwhelmingly in favour of EU membership (say 84% and if you assume they are 25% of the population), then the Macedonian support for EU membership is now well below 50% and more like 40%.

https://www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer/home