EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas is carrying out a two city visit to Krushevo and Bitola today, marking Europe Day 2026 with activities designed to bring European policies and the EU integration process closer to Macedonian citizens at the local level.
The day’s agenda begins in Krushevo, where Rokas will hold working meetings with Mayor Niko Choneski and members of the municipal council to discuss the concrete effects of EU accession on local development, as well as how European financial support is shaping the daily lives of residents in the region. The ambassador will also meet with representatives of civil society before participating in an open citizen dialogue, creating space for direct discussion about how European policies translate into tangible local impact.
The evening program shifts to Bitola, where Rokas will open a musical celebration at the square near the Officer’s House, featuring performances by the band Funk Shui and DJ Dejan Dex. The event is part of nationwide Europe Day festivities organized under the motto “Our Europe. Stronger Together,” coordinated by the EU Delegation, the Europe House network, and the embassies of EU member states, with support from the Ministry of European Affairs and local self governments. The celebrations, which run throughout May across the country, represent Brussels’ ongoing effort to maintain public engagement with the European project at a time when Macedonia’s EU path remains blocked by bilateral disputes, reminding citizens that integration is not merely a diplomatic process in distant capitals but a daily reality shaped by local partnerships, infrastructure projects, and community dialogue.
