Brussels, 7 December 2023 (MIA) — Given our commitment and efforts to join the EU, I expect the European Council next week to recommend we hold the second Intergovernmental Conference, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj said ahead of the bilateral meeting on Chapter 31: Foreign, Defence and Security Policy, which completes the country's EU screening process.

"Every future step in our country's accession to the EU, as well as the dynamics of negotiations, will depend only on us, on whether we adopt the constitutional amendments. We are at a pivotal point in our history, which will transform Macedonian society," Deputy PM Marichikj said.

"This is a historic moment for North Macedonia, for the Western Balkans and for the European Union. We must seize this opportunity without hesitation, without worries and without fear, but with the conviction that it will contribute to the prosperity of the country and its citizens," Marichikj said.

According to him, delaying or blocking the negotiations and North Macedonia's EU membership jeopardizes the state's reforms and development.

"I am confident that together with the majority of Macedonian citizens who want to see the Republic of North Macedonia in the European Union in 2030, we will succeed. Let's overcome the obstacles together and make sure current and future generations have a European future," the Deputy PM said.

Marichikj recalled that the screening process took 15 months to complete, including 100 days of meetings, 850 presentations, and over 1,000 participants from 206 different institutions.

"This serious work is proof of the administration and citizens' collective commitment to EU membership," he added, stressing that the country was committed to making thorough internal improvements and achieving slignment with European standards.

He also said that by the end of the year, 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. mr/