Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi during Thursday’s meeting in Brussels with the EU Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said that the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans is the key to post-COVID economic recovery in North Macedonia.
“We expect many new initiatives and projects for creating more powerful ties and networks with the European Union,” Bekteshi said at the meeting.
He briefed the EU Commissioner on the implementation of the country’s priority projects within the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, as well as the North Macedonia’s 2021 CEFTA Chairmanship priorities and the set goals for facilitating trade, transport and connectivity of the Western Balkan countries, emerging from the Berlin Process.
“The EU’s common position is that better connecting the economies of the Western Balkans within the region and with the EU requires a strong commitment from the Western Balkans to implement fundamental reforms, deepen regional economic integration and develop a common regional market on the basis of the EU acquis in order to make the region a more attractive investment area. With the plan for reconstruction and transformation of the European economy through the recovery fund, priority will be given to investments in green economy, digitalization and post-COVID economic recovery,” the Ministry of Economy said in a press release.
At the meeting, it was noted that North Macedonia is an example in the Western Balkans for progress in the customs reforms.
