Skopje, 27 November 2024 (MIA) – The UK absolutely supports finding the right way to move things forward in North Macedonia's accession to the European Union, UK's Ambassador Matthew Lawson said in a Sitel TV appearance Wednesday.

Ambassador Lawson said the EU membership process was long and frustrating, but the benefits were considerable. He also said it was important for the country to honor its agreements.

He said the UK's position was that it was North Macedonia's sovereign right to seek EU membership. The vast majority of citizens wanted the country to join the EU, he noted, adding that the government, as well, clearly wanted to make progress toward membership.

According to Lawson, even though the UK has left the EU, its experience was relevant. He said it took the UK a long time to join the EU. They had applied for membership in 1961, he said, and did not join the bloc until 1973.

He described those 12 years as "a long and sometimes frustrating" process but he said the benefits would be significant for North Macedonia.

Lawson also spoke about the Prespa Agreement that unblocked the country's NATO membership and the constitutional changes required from the country to open the negotiations with the EU by clusters.

Highlighting the benefits of the EU's Growth Plan for the country's economic development, the UK Ambassador said the rule of law and a corruption-free system was vital for improving the business climate for foreign investors.

Lawson also said the UK, to support the country's democracy in difficult times, was working with the government and civil society, especially in ​​dealing with disinformation. mr/