As is stated in the government statement from the meeting, Zaev has emphasized that the only acceptable proposal for our country for overcoming the blockade for EU enlargement with the Western Balkan countries is the proposal presented during the Portuguese Presidency of the EU, which respects the commitments of both sides for promoting mutual relations and the European integration processes in the region.
The government delegation led by Prime Minister Zaev, together with Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani, following the official working lunch had a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Tirana. Merkel is paying a visit to the Western Balkans and has met with the leaders of the countries in the region, where the main topic was regional cooperation.
At the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Zaev also reflected on the Open Balkans Initiative that is based precisely on the principles of the functioning of the European Union.
-We need resolution of the political obstacles and integration of North Macedonia into the EU as soon as possible. We have successfully completed our homework, but that does not mean that we stop here, but rather on the contrary, we work every day and fight for a better tomorrow of our citizens, highlighted Prime Minister Zaev at the bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel.
Chancellor Merkel, as is stated in the statement, agreed with the government delegation that EU integration of both North Macedonia and of the region must not continue being delayed and that continuous progress has been noted by all relevant European institutions and international partners of the country.
Zaev and Chancellor Merkel discussed also about the trade exchange between the two countries and about additional promotion of economic investments in the country, given the favourable business climate that has made Germany the number one trade partner of North Macedonia for years.
In the statement it is pointed out that at the meeting, Prime Minister Zaev expressed gratitude for the personal engagement of Chancellor Merkel for her overall dedicated work and invaluable contribution to strengthening the relations of FR Germany with North Macedonia, as well as for her support and the support of her country on our path to NATO membership and in the process of EU membership.
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
