Professor of Political Science from the University of Brussels – Belgium, and an expert on Balkan issues, Professor Jean-Michel De Waele, was received today in a meeting by the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, accompanied by the Professor of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Afet Mamuti, and the Head of the Office for International Relations, Asst. Prof. Dr. Hatibe – Deari Zeqiri. The Rector thanked the professor for choosing the University of Tetova to deliver a highly important lecture for North Macedonia, regarding the possibility of our country’s integration into the European Union. He also presented to the Belgian professor the history of the University, its academic units, and the various study programs, expressing hope that in the future our university will have even more international collaborations. Meanwhile, Professor Jean-Michel De Waele stated that he is ready for any type of collaboration, starting with Erasmus programs, various workshops, lectures, conferences, and academic staff exchanges.

After the meeting, Professor Jean-Michel De Waele delivered a lecture at the Legal Clinic of the Faculty of Law at UT on the topic: “EU Integrations and the Rule of Law – Experiences from Previous Enlargement Negotiations”. In this context, Prof. De Waele emphasized that each round of enlargement has brought unique challenges, but also opportunities to strengthen the democratic and legal foundations in the countries aspiring to join the European Union. According to him, the key is to implement legal and institutional reforms to meet the criteria for EU membership. Commitment to the rule of law is essential for ensuring political and economic stability in the post-membership period. He also highlighted that, in the past, the experience of countries that have joined the EU, such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania, has shown that even after membership, respect for the rule of law and democratic principles must remain an ongoing process. To avoid future challenges, the EU should focus not only on the initial assessment of meeting the conditions but also on continuous monitoring post-membership, to maintain its integrity as a value-based community.

This activity was concluded between students, professors and professor Jean Michel De Waele on EU integration issues.