THE IMPORTANCE OF SKOPJE IN THE REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

Abstract

The regional integration of Macedonia into Southeast Europe (and therefore Skopje) within Europe is undeniable. Regional integration in modern European trends is realized through the growth poles through interaction and cooperation.Skopje is the main pole of development in Macedonia. The strong polarization effects conditioned the dominant position of the Skopje metropolis in relation to the other major settlements in Macedonia, and thus the differences in the regional development on the territory of the country. In the scientific paper, detailed comparative research was conducted on the basis of selected socio-economic indicators on the relation of the balance of Skopje with the other urban centers in South-East Europe. The aim is to point out the significance and function of Skopje in the political, economic and spatial-functional organization of Southeast Europe, ie to determine the degree of participation of Skopje in the European integration processes. The role of the Government of Macedonia in the Euro-integration processes is of great importance and will be elaborated in the study.