Tirana, 16 October 2023 (MIA) - As a trusted partner and a country that has made a considerable step forward in the renewal and development of democracy and democratic processes in the past six years, North Macedonia should be part of the European Union as soon as possible, concurred Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi at a meeting on Monday, held on the sidelines of the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit in Tirana. 

Talks reaffirmed the EU's strong support to enlargement with Western Balkan countries. 

Participants in the meeting, also including Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, exchanged views and information on the current political situation in North Macedonia, in terms of continuing the country's European path and the steps and decisions that need to be taken on that path towards full-fledged EU membership, in line with the EU Negotiating Framework, the Government said in a press release.  

"Interlocutors also discussed the European Commission's Growth Plan, noting it is a good chance for North Macedonia and the citizens to see some of the benefits of EU membership even before joining the EU. The interlocutors added that the plan brings the country closer to the goal of EU membership by 2030," reads the press release. 

Kovachevski pointed out that the Government's focus is on the EU membership perspective, adding that the Government remains committed to the European agenda, given the fact that EU membership has considerable support among the citizens.

Interlocutors expressed hope that all political stakeholders will take into account the unique opportunity to move the country forward towards full-fledged EU membership. 

"Prime Minister Kovachevski stressed that the European integration process should not be blocked, given that blocking it is against the will of the citizens, and because stopping the European integration process due to non-fulfillment of obligations from the negotiating framework will stall all other processes of economic and social development necessary to bring the Macedonian society closer to European standards of living," the press release reads. 

At the Summit, PM Kovachevski is expected to hold meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso; and the Vice President of the Europe and Central Asia Region at the World Bank, Antonella Bassani. 

The Berlin Process is being developed with the support of the European Commission, international financial institutions, and the member states that are a part of the process – Germany, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Poland, and the United Kingdom, alongside the six Western Balkan countries.

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia