DPC talks with Dr. Ivan Stefanovski (Skopje, North Macedonia)

Valery Perry spoke with Dr. Ivan Stefanovski of the Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia. They talked about the impact of the end of US soft power engagement in the country, and how unfortunately many other European donors followed suit. They also discussed the country’s long and frustrating accession process, and the disillusionment among many in the population about what is perceived as an endless process constantly open to narrow and bilateral EU member agendas. In light of Skopje 2014, an extremely expensive and corrupt vanity project that transformed the capital city with poorly constructed statues, façades, arches and lions, Valery asked for any advice he could give to people concerned about the similar makeover happening in Washington DC.

On bigger picture geopolitics, Ivan noted his worry that the EU is not sufficiently motivated or equipped to respond to this moment of geopolitical flux, saying, “history has taught us that Europe doesn’t think strategically.”