Skopje, 18 October (MIA) – The Government’s social policy aims to achieve the EU goals of social policy and policy of solidarity, said Deputy PM for European Affairs and Chief Negotiator Bojan Marichikj at explanatory meeting on Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment in Brussels on Tuesday. “We remain committed to creating equal opportunities for all, to banning discrimination on any grounds and strengthening social dialogue. Just distribution is the starting point for the social policy of North Macedonia and the EU,” said Deputy PM Marichikj. He added that the country has aligned its legislation in the field of social policy and employment with the relevant EU law in the aspect of institutional capacities as well, which has been noted in the latest EC Progress Report, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. “We have increased social benefits and continued to implement measures to mitigate the management of the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Marichikj. The Deputy PM also referred to the adoption of a new Strategy on Equality and Non-Discrimination 2022-2026, along with the new strategy on occupational safety and health 2021-2025. EU negotiations will contribute to improvements in the system of social protection, increase in the educational level of the workforce, high employment rate, and banning discrimination in employment, reads the press release. Brussels hosted today two explanatory screening meetings within Cluster 3 chapters on education and culture (Chapter 26) and social policy and employment (Chapter 19).