The perspectives of Northern Macedonia regarding the European integration process, the current developments in the country and the region and the bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands were the focus of the conversation that President Stevo Pendarovski had this afternoon with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
At a working dinner in honor of the Dutch Prime Minister, Pendarovski expressed satisfaction with the intensification of political dialogue between the two countries in the past, noting that the Netherlands is an important partner and proven supporter of the country’s EU integration efforts.
Pendarovski, his cabinet said, thanked for the principled support by the Netherlands for the start of accession talks for membership in the European Union, emphasizing that Northern Macedonia is committed to the reform agenda and good neighborly relations in order to start negotiations with the EU immediately.
– A credible test of the credibility of the enlargement process are the forthcoming advice of the European Union in December and the possibility for Northern Macedonia to make a step on the road to the EU. “Support for unblocking our European integration is extremely important for the stability and prosperity of the entire region and an additional impetus to the reform processes,” Pendarovski said.
Pendarovski expressed the expectation that the Dutch Government will continue to contribute to the strengthening of Northern Macedonia as a strong European democracy, with a free society and a free market economy. In that regard, the importance of the Declaration of Partnership and Cooperation signed between the two countries was emphasized, as a basis for deepening bilateral ties and further continuous and committed implementation of European standards.
Earlier, the Dutch Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, and was welcomed at Skopje Airport by Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov. Rutte is the first Dutch Prime Minister to pay an official visit to the country.
Source: Sloboden Pecat
