The peoples of the Western Balkans expect for the EU declarations to be translated into action and if the EU does not act, the disappointments in the peoples of the region will be irreparable and with enormous harm to the great European idea for unity and cooperation.

This was stated today by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at the joint meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, before the start of the EU – Western Balkans summit that is being held in Brdo kaj Kranj.

As the Government press service announced, the meeting stressed the importance of the EU enlargement with the Western Balkan countries and welcomed the fact that the enlargement of the Union with the countries of the region remains a strategic priority for Brussels, which is expected to be noted in today’s declaration of the summit.

The government informed that Zaev today will also have a joint working meeting with Radev, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Prime Minister will have a separate bilateral meeting with the Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell. At the side-lines of the summit, Prime Minister Zaev will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Estonia and Ireland, Kaja Kallas and Michael Martin.

Prime Minister Zaev is leading the delegation of North Macedonia at the Summit in Brdo kaj Kranj, which also includes Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani.

Translation: N. Cvetkovska