Minister of Labour and Social Policy Jagoda Shahpaska met Thursday with the Slovenian Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Janez Cigler Kralj within the second EU – Western Balkans ministerial meeting on employment and social affairs, which was held in Brdo Pri Kranju, Slovenia.

They discussed the priorities of the two countries, especially following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also potentials on deepening mutual cooperation, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Jagoda Shahpaska said in a press release on Friday.

“Minister Shahpaska thanked for the Slovenia’s support to our country, voicing her expectations that Slovenia during its EU presidency will further contribute to the final steps in North Macedonia’s integration process and sooner holding the first intergovernmental conference,” reads the press release.

Slovenian Minister Cigler Kralj said that after the pandemic, all countries in the EU and the Western Balkans must focus on policies for young people that will mean creating conditions for their faster progress and development.

Minister Shahpaska said that North Macedonia has been creating and implementing systemic policies and solutions in order to provide conditions for young people to stay in the country and build their future here.

She added that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is working on new legislation such as the Law on Labour Relations, that will include work from home, work remotely, flexible working hours designed to meet the needs of today. She also said that they are considering the Slovenian model in regard to the law on employment and unemployment insurance.

Shahpaska invited Cigler Kralj to visit North Macedonia in the coming period, to get acquainted precisely with the social reform, but also to explore the possibilities for mutual cooperation.