The start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia will contribute to maintaining the EU’s credibility in the region, it was reaffirmed at Tuesday’s meeting in Brussels between Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and FM Bujar Osmani with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
“The talks were focused on the future of the EU enlargement policy, primarily in the context of the developments after the adoption of the new enlargement methodology and the opportunities it gives to activate the process, harmonizing the negotiating framework for North Macedonia, the importance and benefits of regional cooperation and promotion of good neighbourly relations that are essential for the European perspective, both for the country and for the entire region,” government press service said in a press release.
Dimitrov and Osmani welcomed Borrell’s commitment to supporting the European perspective of the region and initiatives launched to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans, read the press release.
“In this regard, they expressed gratitude for his contribution to the adoption of the decision on the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia by the Council of the EU, which was confirmed by the European Council in March last year,” added the press release.
The meeting underlined the fact that North Macedonia has many friends among EU member states, with which we share common interests for the future of Europe and it is the entire Western Balkans region to fully integrated in the EU.
Dimitrov and Osmani reaffirmed Government’s commitment to continue with the reforms and to maintain North Macedonia’s positive dossier.
Regarding the global challenges, the Western Balkan countries, in addition to the pandemic, share common challenges with the EU on migration, the fight against organized crime and terrorism, the fight against disinformation and hybrid threats, climate change, digitalization. At the meeting, participants agreed that success of the European project relies strictly on solidarity and alliance, which will mean affirmation of the shared perspectives, read the press release.
During the talks, Borrell, for his part, welcomed the improved level of alignment of North Macedonia with the common EU foreign and security policy.
Dimitrov and Osmani’s meeting with Borrell happens in a very important moment for the European Union enlargement process and they agreed that the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia will contribute to maintaining the EU’s credibility in the region, read the press release.
