Skopje, 10 October 2025 (MIA) - Minister of European Affairs, Orhan Murtezani, met Friday with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ola Sohlström, discussing issues of strategic importance for the country's European integration, implementation of the Reform Agenda under the European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, as well as opportunities to deepen bilateral and development cooperation.

Murtezani, as the National Coordinator for the Implementation of the Reform Agenda, briefed Sohlström on the current activities the Government is undertaking to promote the rule of law, improve the business environment and increase administrative capacities for the implementation of European policies.

He pointed out that the Government is actively aligning its reform priorities with the goals of the Growth Plan, with a particular focus on structural changes that enable faster integration into the single European market.

Murtezani, reads the press release, highlighted the significant role of the Kingdom of Sweden as one of the most consistent supporters of the country's European perspective, particularly noting development cooperation within Sweden's strategy for reform cooperation with the Western Balkans and Türkiye (2021-2027), which contributes to progress in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, gender equality and environmental protection, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). He added that SIDA remains an example of long-term and coherent donor engagement, through which numerous institutional and social projects are implemented in line with national priorities.

Ambassador Sohlström reaffirmed Sweden's readiness to further promote cooperation and support North Macedonia's reform processes in the context of its European integration. The Minister and the Ambassador reaffirmed joint commitment to continue the intensive technical and expert cooperation through the IPA Twinning and TAIEX programs, as key instruments for the transfer of European knowledge and experience in the process of alignment with the acquis communautaire.

Murtezani and Sohlström concluded that bilateral relations between North Macedonia and Sweden are characterized by stability, mutual respect and continuous strengthening, which represents a real basis for their further advancement in the spirit of European cooperation and common values.

Photo: Ministry of European Affairs