Skopje, 25 August 2023 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s EU integration means prosperity for the citizens in the country, with the added impact of long-term prosperity for the entire Western Balkans in the European Union, concluded Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and the U.S. Department of State's Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar at a meeting Friday.

According to a government press release, at the meeting Kovachevski and Escobar spoke about key current issues important for the perspectives of the Macedonian citizens and for North Macedonia, and about geostrategic issues important for Europe’s stability.

At the meeting, the expectation that North Macedonia will become an EU member following its NATO membership was affirmed, as well as the United States’ firm support over the country’s progress towards full-fledged EU membership.

According to the press release, it was assessed that any other outcome than the chance to continue down the European path is not a national or a strategic interest. Consequently, it was agreed that the upcoming decision in the country’s Parliament should be statesmanlike, in the direction of integration, and not isolation.

“For the fulfillment of the Euro-integration goal, the Republic of North Macedonia has unequivocal support at home, from the Macedonian citizens, and like never before, from abroad as well, from its international partners. A negotiating framework has been agreed with the EU that provides a full protection of the Macedonian language and identity, and the expectation that steps forward will be taken through statesmanlike decisions for a European quality of life within the country and in line with the strategic interests for stability in Europe,” said the Government in the press release.

At the meeting Kovachevski was accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Bojan Marichikj, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Justice Minister Krenar Lloga, and Culture Minister Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska, while Escobar was accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Aggeler, and other representatives from the Embassy.

Photo: Government