Skopje, 17 July 2023 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, alongside Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs Fatmir Bytyqi, participated in an informal meeting Monday between the prime ministers of the Western Balkan countries and the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, in Tirana.

According to a Government press release, the meeting which was also attended by the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, of Serbia Ana Brnabić, and of Montenegro Dritan Abazović, focused on topics in preparation of the meeting of the Berlin Process set to be held in October in Tirana, since Albania chairs the Berlin Process in 2023.

“The key topic we discussed was the EU’s plan for accelerated integration with the Western Balkan countries, which relies on several basic pillars: first, faster nearing of the Western Balkan countries to the EU’s common market. Second, an increase in funds for the financing of important regional projects. Third, an increase in economic cooperation and integration between the Western Balkan countries, and fourth, acceleration of key reforms in each of the countries,” stressed Kovachevski.

The Prime Minister emphasized that this is an ambitious plan and an ambitious agenda which the countries will work on together. Additionally, according to the press release, the countries will work on the ratification and entry into force in the period until October and after, of the agreements signed at the meeting in Berlin, concerning the mutual recognition of university degrees, as well as other agreements signed as part of the Berlin Process.

Photo: Government of North Macedonia