Every future failure to realize the European prospects of the region and the uncertainty of EU’s intentions creates a vacuum that can be filled by other global players and undermines the Union’s role at international level, which could have security implications, Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said during a meeting in Vilnius on Friday.
They also discussed the outlooks and challenges for North Macedonia’s EU accession talks and current affairs in both regions.
Interlocutors, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release, agreed that the start of North Macedonia’s EU negotiations will have a strong effect on the region, as well as geopolitical implications.
“The enlargement process entails a security aspect – the security and stability of the Western Balkans is connected to the security of the EU and Europe,” Dimitrov said.
PM Šimonytė underlined that Lithuania will continue to actively support North Macedonia’s European prospects.
Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov is visiting Lithuania on Friday as part of his tour to Baltic countries.
On Thursday, he paid a visit to Latvia and held meetings with MPs who congratulated North Macedonia on its NATO membership and noted that further delay of the country’s accession negotiations sends a demoralizing signal to the Western Balkans and all countries that have been committed in implementing democratic reforms with the ultimate goal of EU membership.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs said after meeting on Thursday in Riga with Deputy PM Dimitrov that North Macedonia has made a remarkable breakthrough in the process to join the EU expressed hopes that it will become the 28th member country of the bloc.
