Skopje, 19 July 2022 (MIA) – It is an enormous satisfaction to finally start the negotiations after 17 years of waiting. We are opening new perspectives for the country and the citizens, and slowly but surely joining the large European family, which has been our priority strategic objective for decades, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Tuesday. Ahead of the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, PM Kovachevski told a press conference alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala that he believes this new start for the region will focus on prosperity and progress. “In light of the IGC that opens the accession talks of North Macedonia and Albania to the European Union, I extend my sincere gratitude to all our friends in the EU, for their support, involvement and commitment to the European integration of our country. Their commitment was key for us to make the first step, here is Brussels, that will lead us to full-fledged Union membership,” noted Kovachevski. He added that the European proposal has been recognized as the best possible solution that respects the country’s red lines but at the same time launches the negotiations, noting that it defines the Macedonian language without any additions or explanations. “This opens the door for our Macedonian language to become one of EU’s official languages, which I personally consider to be the greatest achievement. In this way, the Macedonian language is not only protected but will also experience broad promotion, with many countries and cultures that have no links with the language having a chance to get familiar with it,” said Kovachevski. Our identity, language, culture and customs, he added, will continue to be authentic Macedonian, within the European Union, which unites in diversities. “North Macedonia belongs to the European family. Our place lies in the EU. We have demonstrated on many occasions that we are a trusted partner of the European Union and its member-states, and we will continue to work and function in the same way in the future,” said Kovachevski. The PM also congratulated the citizens of Albania and his counterpart Edi Rama for the start of Albania’s accession negotiations. He expressed hope that North Macedonia will be a positive example of swift EU integration, just as was the case with the expedient process of joining NATO. “We are moving ahead with the same dynamics and regional cooperation, in the interest of our citizens, committed within our authentic initiatives and processes of cooperation. We are ready for the European Union,” underlined Kovachevski.