Skopje, 4 July 2022 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski met Monday with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne and Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Tytti Tuppurainen, who are paying a joint visit to North Macedonia, his office said in a press release. Talks reaffirmed friendly relations with the two countries, joint commitment to promote political dialogue, as well as more intensive and comprehensive bilateral cooperation, reads the press release. “President Pendarovski stressed that North Macedonia appreciates Ireland and Finland’s continuous support to our European integration process, as well as the help in fulfilling the European agenda and reform tasks in several vital areas. Participants in the meeting exchanged views on the current political developments in the country, in the context of the French proposal to start EU accession talks,” the press release adds. The Ministers pointed out that the idea of a European political community is not a substitute for full-fledged EU membership, but an added value in the process leading to Union membership. “Interlocutors exchanged views on the state of play in the Western Balkans region, as well as the economic and security implications for the region caused by the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. They agreed on a need to strengthen international security and multilateral approach in resolving global challenges, welcoming the decision to formally invite Finland and Sweden to join NATO,” the press release reads.