Skopje, 20 September 2023 (MIA) — Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska received France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Oliver Becht, who is currently visiting the region.

According to a Ministry of Defense press release, Petrovska and Becht discussed EU enlargement and North Macedonia's European integration. They also considered possibilities for deepening defense cooperation and boosting the development of the national defense industry through French investments.

"France is one of our biggest partners in the EU and a country that we have excellent defense cooperation with. The best proof of this is the procurement of the French anti-aircraft defense system," Minister Petrovska is quoted as saying in the press release.

On the topic of EU enlargement, Minister Becht said France wanted to see North Macedonia in the EU as soon as possible. He reaffirmed the strong French support for the country's European integration, which Petrovska said was of strategic interest for North Macedonia. mr/