Skopje, 23 January 2024 (MIA) — Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs Bojan Marichikj met Tuesday with newly appointed Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Director for the Western Balkans Valentina Superti.

According to a Secretariat for European Affairs press release, the meeting discussed the country's successfully completed screening process, the implementation of the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, both parties' commitment to working hard toward the goal of the country's joining the EU and the reform agenda as well as the EU's contonous support to North Macedonia.

Marichikj also voiced his expectation for further support from the European institutions for the reforms and processes ahead, pointing out that this would contribute to maintaining the country's European course and the stability of the entire region.

Superti stressed that the EU's commitment and strategy for the union's enlargement with the countries of the Western Balkans was an important policy and would continue at the maximum pace.

"The Growth Plan is an instrument for accelerating key reforms, development and support to the economies of the countries of the Western Balkans, aimed at their progress and achieving the strategic goal of EU accession," she is quoted as saying in the press release.

Deputy PM Marichikj thanked her for the continuous support and excellent cooperation with the EU's institutions, stressing that the state would continue to work with dedication toward its European integration until reaching the ultimate goal: North Macedonia's full membership in the EU.

The meeting was also attended by the State Secretary of the Secretariat of European Affairs Drita Abdiu Halili and representatives of the EU Delegation in North Macedonia. mr/