There is no doubt that we are prepared for the start of the EU accession negotiations and no doubt that further delay of the talks would be a big mistake, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told a joint press conference with Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna on Monday.
“We are aware that the process is complex, it is not simple to reach consensus, but we are not giving up. On the contrary, we are continually saying that we are prepared to work further on reforms and goodneighborly relations but also committed to all other challenges that emerge up until our full-fledged EU membership,” said FM Osmani and added that North Macedonia should have already started the accession talks by now.
Osmani thanked Austria for its continued and unconditional support to North Macedonia’s European prospects, including the start of the EU talks without delay.
“Austria is one of our biggest champions and economic partners, a continual and vocal supporter of EU enlargement. Austria worked hard for an intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia by the end of the year,” said Osmani.
The FM added that progress on the Balkans is in the direct interest of the neighbors of the region, including Austria.
“My visit today completes the mini-tour in EU members that are immediate neighbors of the Balkans and our closest supporters in the European integration process. This is logical, because stability, development, progress of the Balkans is in the direct interests of its neighbors, such as Austria,” noted Osmani.
Interlocutors referred to bilateral cooperation, which is based on stable and long-term friendship, no open issues and mutual support on a number of matters.
