Skopje, 21 February 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s European perspective and expectations of the French EU Presidency in the process of opening accession negotiations were in the focus of discussions between Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi and European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels on Monday. The meeting tackled the Finance Ministry’s priorities aimed at enhancing the reform process in the field of public finance management, growth acceleration through investments and fiscal consolidation, as well as reforms within the Programme for Economic Reforms 2022-2024, on which the Government and the European Commission have already launched consultations. “We will focus on implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan in order to meet the goals of the EU accession agenda, including the implementation of the Green Agenda, Digital Transition and other strategies and policies of the EU for the Western Balkans,” said Minister Besimi and thanked the EU for the support in the COVID-19 pandemic management and the implementation of significant infrastructure projects in North Macedonia. The FinMin also said the new Government remained committed to continue on the EU path, to which there is no alternative. North Macedonia expects the French EU Presidency to continue in the efforts to make progress in the accession process. The Government is prepared to resume the dialogue with Bulgaria on overcoming open issues through sectoral cooperation, resulting in solutions that are acceptable for both sides, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.