Skopje, 17 March 2023 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met on Friday with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

The meeting was attended by the Parliament’s vice-presidents, Goran Misovski and Husni Ismaili, the coordinators of the parliamentary groups, Jovan Mitreski and Arber Ademi, the deputy coordinators Dafina Stojanovska and Halil Snopche, the representatives of the smaller parties in the Parliament, Safije Sadiki Shaini, Bastri Bajrami and Antonijo Miloshoski, a member of National European Integration Council, Parliament’s press service said.

Xhaferi expressed his satisfaction with the realization of the visit and the dynamics of holding meetings with EU representatives, expressing gratitude for EU’s financial assistance intended to cope with the pandemic, energy and economic crisis.

Our readiness to continue fully aligning with the EU's foreign, security and defence policy, including in relation to developments in Ukraine, was underlined. He presented his view on the current political situation, the current parliamentary activities and informed about our contribution within the framework of our chairmanship of the OSCE and SEECP this year, for the promotion of their established goals and values.

Borrell welcomed the common positions of the political actors in the past decades for the European perspective of the country and for the well-being of its citizens.

Referring to the past cycles of enlargements and the experience of his country, Borrell stressed that the enlargement process is the best thing that each of today's member states has done for prosperity and peace on the European continent.

The developments in Ukraine were pointed to as a driver for the acceleration of enlargement and a historic moment, which offers an exceptional opportunity that should not be missed.

“The signing of the Frontex agreement is an undeniable reality and guarantee for the Macedonian language as one of the official languages of the European Union,” Borrell said.

Regarding the Parliament in that process, Borrell  underlined that its role is of exceptional importance, due to the fact that its representatives are elected by the citizens.

The messages addressed to the interlocutors referred to the need for greater coordination between the government and the opposition and their joint action due to national interests.

The importance and role of the Committee on European Affairs was pointed out as well as the changes that should be made in the Parliament's Rules of Procedure to enable the smooth adoption of the necessary European legislation until the accession to the Union.

Participants in the meeting expressed different views on European integration, a large part of whom supported the upcoming constitutional amendments, but fears were also expressed about possible further demands from the Republic of Bulgaria in this process.

In this regard, it was also informed about the low support of the citizens for joining the EU in the latest polls due to Bulgaria's demands, and guarantees were requested that this process to be conducted according to the principles and standards of the past enlargements of the Union, reads the press release.