At the meeting, defence cooperation and Austria’s support in the European integration of North Macedonia was discussed.

– Austria is one of the vocal supporters of the region and of North Macedonia, which indeed is to be highly respected. Our two countries cooperate also in the area of defence, for which I hope that in the future period we will have more activities that will promote our bilateral cooperation. It is great that Austria is continuously sending encouraging signals to the region and to our country, for which we are especially grateful, said Sekerinska.

The Minister also pointed out that the support of Austria during the recent fires and during the pandemic gave another confirmation that the two countries maintain excellent relations and that Austria appreciates the achievements of North Macedonia.

The two ministers concluded that our country has achieved progress that the EU should value by opening negotiations for EU membership of North Macedonia.

– Austria will continue to support North Macedonia. It is important not only for the stability of the region, but also for the future of the entire Union. Our relations will continue to develop through dialogue and mutual understanding, said Minister Tanner.

At yesterday’s conference of the Defence Ministers of the Western Balkans and of Austria, a joint Declaration was signed for strengthening the resistance of the countries of the region and for reinforcing the strategic dialogue in the mutual relations and in the relations with the EU, with an emphasis on creating contemporary regional leadership.

The conference was held in the so-called “Graz format” established at the meeting in Graz in 2018 between our country, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Austria on behalf of the EU, reports Sloboden Pecat.

Translation: N. Cvetkovska