Brussels, 7 December 2023 (MIA) - We are looking ahead towards the positive momentum of the country's European integration path, starting with the adoption of the Negotiating Framework last year, which was crucial and full of challenges, but also important and successful, up until the end of the screening meetings, Deputy PM for European Affairs and Chief EU Negotiator, Bojan Marichkij, said in the opening address to the bilateral meeting in Brussels on Chapter 31: Foreign, Defence and Security Policy, which completes the North Macedonia's EU screening process. 

At the meeting, which was also attended by Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and Deputy Chief Negotiator with the EU and State Secretary at the Secretariat for European Affairs, Drita Abdiu-Halili, Deputy PM Marichikj highlighted the importance of successful completion of the comprehensive cycle of the screening process initiated by the new accession methodology, stressing the collective determination to advance the country's European Union integration. 

He also highlighted the state's commitment to aligning its policies with those of the European Union, through constant engagement in political dialogues.

"It is worth noting that the Republic of North Macedonia is actively involved in regular political dialogues on foreign and security policy issues at all levels, and closely cooperates with the European Union and Western Balkan partners. The country not only accepts, but fully support the acquis within the Agenda for this Chapter, which signals a strong commitment to align policies with European standards," Marichikj pointed out.

He noted that the country is focused on demonstrating responsibility, commitment and participation, and is an important actor in the Western Balkan region and on the international stage, as was seen last week in Skopje with the holding of the OSCE Ministerial Council. 

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said in his address that if the country doesn't adopt the constitutional amendments, the European accession path will stop unnaturally. 

"It will be a historically missed opportunity amid this geopolitical situation in the Union when enlargement is a priority and a geostrategic necessity. Therefore, I once again urge for ensuring the necessary majority in the Parliament to achieve the goal, which is of strategic national importance and is the aspiration of the majority of our citizens to belong to the Euro-Atlantic family, which no party can ignore, especially if claiming to lead a future Government," Osmani pointed out. 

The Macedonian delegation within the screening meeting on Chapter 31 includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the Secretariat for European Affairs. 

North Macedonia's screening process took 15 months to complete, including 100 days of meetings, 850 presentations, and over 1,000 participants from 206 different institutions.

The European Commission in its latest progress report on North Macedonia said the screening process is proceeding smoothly, noting a solid level of alignment of national legislation with the EU acquis. 

After the screening process is completed, the country would submit key documents arising from the Negotiating Framework for accession to the European Union adopted on July 19, 2022: roadmaps for the rule of law and for public administration reform as well as an Action Plan dedicated to the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities or communities. 

As part of the visit to Brussels, Deputy PM Marichikj will hold working meetings with the European Commissioner for Promoting European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, and with the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) Gert Jan Koopman. FM Osmani will also hold bilateral meetings and talks with counterparts from the region, as well as EU top officials, including European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi. 

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs