During Monday’s NATO Summit in Brussels, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani held a meeting with his Dutch counterpart Sigrid Kaag.
Aside from security challenges, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release, the two ministers also discussed North Macedonia’s European file, focusing on opportunities for starting accession negotiations during Portugal’s EU Presidency.
Minister Kaag stressed that the Netherlands supports the Portuguese proposal for settling the dispute with Bulgaria.
In that regard, Minister Osmani praised the Dutch “fair and strict” principle, which significantly helps the implementation of European standards, in line with North Macedonia’s European aspirations.
Kaag commended results achieved with the purpose of strengthening democracy and rule of law and stressed the necessity of constant and committed implementation of European standards and reforms, expressing support for North Macedonia’s EU integration prospects and belief in the quick start of accession negotiations.
The Netherlands is one of North Macedonia’s top bilateral benefactors, contributing to the overall progress, as well as to the country’s European perspective.
In that regard, Osmani thanked Kaag for the Netherlands’ support for North Macedonia’s EU integration, expressed through assistance for the judiciary, public administration reform and transposition of European legislation.
Ministers also discussed ways to further promote and improve bilateral cooperation, focusing on the need to strengthen economic collaboration by identifying possible interests for investors and intensifying trade exchange.
