Skopje, 20 October 2023 (MIA) - The United Kingdom continues to support Western Balkans' EU integration, with the expectation that North Macedonia will speed up the negotiation process with the EU, the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach, told a meeting with Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj on Friday.

Marichikj and Peach agreed that any stalling of European integration would mean leaving room for third parties to interfere, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. 

Talks focused on the course of negotiations and future plans of North Macedonia on the path to the EU, as well as the political developments in the region.

Deputy PM Marichikj pointed out that North Macedonia belongs to the community of European values ​​and highlighted the importance of the political commitment the country has from the United Kingdom on the path to the EU, as well as the overall support in the democratic and reform processes.

Interlocutors stressed the importance of cooperation and constant communication between allies and sincere friends such as North Macedonia and the United Kingdom, particularly amid the current complex geopolitical moment, adds the press release.

As NATO partners and allies on the path to the EU, Marichikj and Peach pointed out that both North Macedonia and the United Kingdom have the same goal and are working together for the region to succeed in the accession negotiations sooner and speed up integration, as Marichikj said "by fulfilling the obligations and tasks from Chapters 23 and 24, i.e. in the area of ​​the rule of law, fight against organized crime and corruption, on which the Government is fully focused". 

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs