Brussels, 26 June 2024 (MIA) - The reform agenda, the European Union's expectations, the reforms that have to be delivered and the realization of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans were the main topics discussed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Timcho Mucunski and the representatives of the EU institutions during their meetings in Brussels on Wednesday.

According to MIA’s Brussels correspondent, on Wednesday Mucunski met with Gert Jan Koopman, Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG-NEAR), as well as with MEPs David McAllister, Tineke Strik and Ilhan Kyuchyuk.

“I thanked the members of the European Parliament for their support for the Growth Plan which was recently adopted and will be very significant for the entire region. The key issues we raised were their expectations of the country, as well as our expectations of the EU over everything that it needs to deliver in order to maintain its credibility in our region,” Mucunski said after his meetings in Brussels.

In terms of the tasks the country needs to fulfill, the EU representatives highlighted reforms in the rule of law and public administration, and the fight against high corruption.

“There are some issues that are in the domain of political expectations, over which we presented the positions of the Government that are incorporated in the government program and were a part of the positions of the political parties that won a majority at the last elections,” Mucunski said.

The Foreign Minister stated that with MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, who during the previous composition of the European Parliament acted as its rapporteur for the country, they spoke about the reforms that need to be implemented, as well as the country’s bilateral relations with Bulgaria.

“I believe that he can provide his contribution towards the improvement of bilateral relations,” Mucunski assessed.

At the meeting with the Director General of DG-NEAR, Koopman, Mucunski said they discussed the reforms that the EU expects the country to implement.

“We spent a significant portion of the meeting discussing the Growth Plan which is a really serious focus here in Brussels, and there was a positive atmosphere. I want to believe that this atmosphere will continue in the coming period as well,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

In terms of when the country could expect the first tranche of finances from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Mucunski said he can’t speculate when it would happen.

“Ultimately, the final decision on this will be made in Brussels. The Reform Agenda framework has been laid. I am actively communicating primarily with Prime Minister Mickoski, as well as with some of the key ministers who hold competencies related to the Reform Agenda over what we need to accept not only as reforms, but also as deadlines related to these reforms. Together with the Prime Minister, we believe that this is one of the first concrete steps forward that the Government will be able to make in the process of European integration, but let’s wait and see how the process develops in the coming days and next week. I hope it will develop positively and there are some reports about a faster dynamic of the first tranche, but ultimately this is not up to the Western Balkan countries, it is a decision that will be made here in Brussels,” Mucunski added.

The Foreign Minister stressed that a dialogue has been established between the new Government and the representatives in Brussels with his first official visit abroad after becoming Foreign Minister, and he stated that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski will also pay an official visit to the Belgian capital in the coming period.

“We are waiting for things to clear up in Brussels over who will lead the European institutions. Currently, as you know, the focus at the highest level of the EU is on the issue of who will be the new President of the European Commission and hold the key posts,” Mucunski said, adding that after the conclusion of the process, Prime Minister Mickoski will travel to Brussels and continue the new Government’s dialogue with the European institutions. 

Photo: MIA