Skopje, 16 May 2025 (MIA) - We are serious regarding our support for your country on the path to the EU. We can see how much has been done on your end and how many steps you have taken, and that now we also have a duty to ensure bilateral issues remain bilateral, and not as sticking points, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger said at a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski in Skopje.

She stressed that the country should take a few more steps, while the EU should support and accelerate the process.

“My message today for all citizens in North Macedonia is that we are really sincere in terms of the support to the country on the path to the EU. You are the part of Europe that cannot give up, we are really serious when we say we aren’t complete without you. The enlargement of the European Union should not be reduced to a technical process, but it is a sincere firm pledge, we need economic prosperity, freedom, and of course, I would like to stress that this country has done a lot,” Meinl-Reisinger said.

The Austrian Minister noted that the country had many frustrating moment on the EU path, stressing that the process has really taken too long.

“We in the European Union are aware that we have a duty for the citizens of this country to feel that we are serious with this process. That is why we are committed to gradual EU integration, and we want you to feel that we support you. Regarding the solution from 2022, that was a compromise. It seems to me that there might be different opinions on whether that was a fortunate or unfortunate solution, but the compromise was made then – that's a fact, and this must be realized,” the Austrian FM said, adding that other reforms remain to be implemented as well.

The Austrian diplomat spoke about geopolitical changes affecting the Western Balkan region, highlighting the country’s importance as partners in the response to the changes and the need to strengthen the region together.

At the press conference, Minister Mucunski said Austria is a continued and principled supporter of the country’s European path, as well as a sincere ally and friend to the country and the entire region.

“The relations between our two countries are excellent, politically stable, economically strong and full of trust and mutual support. Austria is the largest foreign investor in our country which says a lot about the depth of the economic cooperation and the trust in our institutions. We especially value the principled and continued support Austria provides to the European perspective of our country and the entire region. As an initiator of the ‘Friends of the Western Balkans’ group, Austria plays a key role in keeping enlargement high on the EU agenda,” Mucunski said at the press conference.

A significant portion of the discussions between the two ministers on Friday focused on the Euro-integration process, with Mucunski expressing gratitude for “the continued and vocal support” by Austria. The two agreed that EU enlargement represents a geopolitical necessity for the security and stability of the continent.

Photo: MA