Skopje, 14 July 2022 (MIA) - Current political developments in the country and the EU integration-related processes were the focus of Thursday's meeting in Skopje of President Stevo Pendarovski with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen confirmed that the first Intergovernmental Conference, which should take place soon if the negotiating framework proposal is accepted, will indeed mark the start of negotiations and the immediate beginning of the screening process, Pendarovski's office said in a press release. "The opening of accession negotiations with the EU will also make way, as soon as possible, for the signature of various bilateral agreements between the Republic of North Macedonia and the European Union, in Macedonian language and in all other official languages of the Union," it added. President Pendarovski reaffirmed the position according to which, the acceptance of the French proposal will lift the blockade of the European integration process and allow for the opening of the first phase of negotiations, which will in turn represent a positive impetus for the reform processes and overall progress of North Macedonia. In that context, President Pendarovski pointed out that Macedonian language and identity must be respected and guaranteed by the European Union.