Skopje, 12 July 2022 (MIA) – Priorities of the six-month Czech EU Presidency in the context of enlargement, start of North Macedonia’s long-awaited accession negotiations, and the current geostrategic developments affecting peace and security in Europe were in the focus of discussions between Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Ludva on Tuesday. Deputy PM Marichikj said North Macedonia finds it very important to have a partner in the Czech Republic regarding its Euro-integration path, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. “We have an opportunity to start this process by accepting the French proposal as Macedonians speaking the Macedonian language,” said Marichikj. Ambassador Ludva said the Czech Republic remained committed to the integration of the Western Balkans’ countries and realization of North Macedonia’s European ambitions, both bilaterally and multilaterally, including through the Visegrad Group (V4). Marichikj said the decision on the country’s future would drive a change across the region. “We remain consistent to our national interests, so the next step should be to validate everything that the country has invested in. Let’s use this opportunity wisely and rationally, thus giving a chance to future generations to enjoy the benefits of the country’s Europeanization,” noted Marichikj.