Skopje, 1 July 2023 (MIA) – By the end of the year, we will make a new step forward and have new dynamics in the EU negotiations, with the holding of the second Intergovernmental Conference and the opening of the first Cluster, wrote Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bojan Marichikj, on Facebook on Saturday, on the occasion of the beginning of Spain’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“The Kingdom of Spain’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union begins today, at a time when we still have a lot to do for a more successful and a more united Europe with the countries of the Western Balkans. The messages sent by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez during his visit to Skopje, and the Spanish Presidency’s motto ‘Europe, closer’, are a confirmation of their commitment to the enlargement policy and the focus on an accelerated integration of the Western Balkans. The four priorities of the Presidency, which include the issue of EU enlargement with the Western Balkans, are reindustrializing the EU and ensuring its open strategic autonomy, environmental transition, and greater social and economic justice,” wrote Marichikj.

The Deputy PM expressed gratitude to Spain for being a decades-long supporter and partner of the country on its path to the EU.

“We now expect to achieve greater progress towards the EU and maintain the pace, with the holding of the second Intergovernmental Conference and opening of the first Cluster – Fundamentals. Enlargement is one of the most important EU policies, and Spain is a strong supporter of this. The offer for the Western Balkans’ EU membership is on the table, together, by the end of the year, we will make European unity more certain,” wrote Marichikj in the Facebook post.

Photo: Facebook