Skopje, 1 November 2023 (MIA) - Germany has reaffirmed its support to North Macedonia's European prospects and awaits the next key step from the country, heard a meeting of Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Bundestag member Johann Wadephul, deputy-chair of the CDU/CSU group responsible for foreign affairs and defense.  

The meeting, also attended by Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, focused on current issues related to North Macedonia, as well as the security and stability of the region and Europe, the Government said in a press release.

Both sides highlighted the significance of the upcoming step that aims to ensure the country's European perspectives. They assessed that North Macedonia has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the EU through a dynamic process over the next few years, resulting from the country's policies amid the new geopolitical context and the challenges for the region, Europe and the world.

Interlocutors agreed that EU enlargement is high on the Union agenda, as never before, with PM Kovachevski thanking Germany for its support in this regard.

"Germany, the biggest EU member, has a specific role and responsibility when it comes to the future of the Western Balkans in the Union. The enlargement policy is the driving force of peace, democracy, rule of law and prosperity in Europe. We are focused on the opportunity for further enhancement of our EU integration and believe that together with the European-minded political forces in the country, along with the support from our European friends, including Germany, the European way of life is attainable for the Macedonian citizens," said Kovachevski.

Wadephul stressed that Germany's main political parties support the European prospects of the Western Balkans, while expressing his understanding for the critical stage that North Macedonia finds itself within the Euro-integration process.

The German MP noted that failure to use the current window of opportunity would lead to uncertainty which outcome and duration no one can predict, reads the press release.

Photo: Government