Skopje, 4 June 2025 (MIA) -- The Council of Ambassadors, an independent association of former ambassadors, held Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade a roundtable discussion on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Ambassador Zoran Jolevski said the European Commission's Growth Plan was "quite seriously and thoroughly developed."

"Getting closer to the EU's single market is very important," he said, adding that the private sector was looking forward to aligning the local customs law with EU customs legislation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Zoran Dimitrovski said the plan worth six billion euros would help accellerate the region's accession process to the EU and stimulate the local economies.

"At the moment, Western Balkan economies are at some 35 percent of the EU average," Dimitrovski said, adding that the government was looking for ways to finance larger infrastructural projects to contribute to improving regional connectivity.

Polish Ambassador Mariusz Brimora highlighted the EU's commitment to the enlargement policy and overall security. He said the Polish EU presidency supported merit-based enlargement, which he noted was a geostrategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity.

"Regarding North Macedonia, I'd like to reiterate the message sent from Skopje by EU Council president António Costa and the EU's high representative Kaja Kallas, which was that the EU stands firmly with North Macedonia on your path to the EU.

"The presidency reaffirms our readiness to hold the second intergovernmental conference without any further delay, or other political decisions, as soon as all requirements are met to continue the process," Brimora said.

He also said the Growth Plan would contribute to continuing to implement the required reforms.

Deputy Minister of European Affairs Viktorija Trajkov said all Western Balkans countries needed to focus on reforms to improve the regional living standard.

"Our citizens deserve to live European lives at home," she said.

"This requires dedication and readiness to help in all spheres of society," Trajkov said.

She also said the government had filed an annual report to the European Commission detailing the country's achievements, measurable results and plans.

The Council of Ambassadors' roundtable was organized ahead of the leaders summit to be hosted by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski later in June to discuss the ways the region can benefit from the plan to strengthen their economies and join the European single market. mr/