Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi held on Wednesday a meeting with Austrian MEP Andreas Schieder. During the meeting, Schieder said that delaying North Macedonia’s EU integration due to dispute with Bulgaria is against the European spirit and it isn’t a reason to block the first intergovernmental conference, set to launch North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations.

Xhaferi and Schieder agreed that circulation of non-papers in Europe, proposing redrawing of borders in the region, should be condemned, adding that the EU has to react immediately and offer clear signals for the European integration of Western Balkan countries.

Schieder, who is also co-chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee EU-North Macedonia and one of the three MEPs in charge of the Jean Monnet Dialogue, stressed that holding in-person meetings between lawmakers is crucial for parliamentary democracy and expressed hopes that they will be reinstated in the second half of 2021.

The MEP also praised the distribution of vaccines within the COVAX facility.

Xhaferi expressed satisfaction over the chance to meet with Schieder in person, adding that the pandemic had prevented the realization of other activities.

Moreover, he thanked Schieder for his efforts in promoting political dialogue in Parliament, as part of the Jean Monnet Dialogue.

The Parliament Speaker, his office said in a press release, briefed meeting participants on the vaccination process in North Macedonia, ongoing activities with the European Parliament and discussions over the Jean Monnet Dialogue between MPs.

He also commended cooperation with the European Parliament, which has not diminished amid the pandemic, sending a clear sign of support for North Macedonia’s EU prospects.

Xhaferi praised at the meeting the EP’s latest resolution over North Macedonia’s progress, underlining that Parliament will continue to make efforts aimed at achieving improvement in problem areas.