Skopje, 14 October 2024 (MIA) — Germany strongly and unwaveringly supports the country's European integration process, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told the national broadcaster on Monday following his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

"Both at the bilateral meeting and previously at the working lunch and the morning meetings held as part of the Berlin Process as well as at the Berlin Process summit itself, I could feel it and I could see, not only in Chancellor Scholz but also in other high-ranking officials and EU member-state prime ministers, that we have enormous support for our European integration process.

"There has never been any doubt about it nor will there ever be," Mickoski said.

He said he had presented the government's priorities regarding the economy, energy, and road and rail infrastructure aimed at strengthening the country's important position at the crossroads of two important European corridors.

"That is Corridor VIII and Corridor X. And as a Government we will make it happen," the PM said.

"I also stressed the political and economic goal of producing, by 2026, as much domestic electricity as we consume, bringing down electricity imports to zero," Mickoski said, adding that the country also aimed to become an exporter of energy as of 2027.

Speaking about EU integration, the prime minister reiterated the government's position that the nation had made too many concessions both as a country and as people so it deserved a chance to start the EU accession negotiations unconditionally.

"We deserve to open the [negotiating] chapters and show how quickly we can close them," Mickoski said.

He said he remained ready to talk with anyone about any potential solution that would clearly lead to EU membership.

"The meeting with Scholz was extremely helpful, friendly, honest," Mickoski said, adding that they had talked about "geostrategic issues important for Macedonian citizens."

"It is a very complex operation, I daresay, for a small nation and a smaller state to defend national interests, but we will defend them," Mickoski said.

"This government will defend them," he said, adding that diplomatic relations were now based on arguments, protecting national interests and cooperation.

"Germany is our biggest supporter, our partner. I believe that together we will be able to overcome any challenges facing us and finally look forward to our homeland's EU membership," Mickoski said.

He said he was much more optimistic following the bilateral meetings he had in Berlin, including at the Bundestag with influential MPs from the ranks of their sister party.

"I am even happier after this visit to Berlin, after this summit, and I am looking forward to our country finally joining the European family soon, though we have deserved it much sooner," Mickoski said. mr/