Skopje, 17 March 2023 (MIA) - The 16th meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council between the European Union and North Macedonia, chaired by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, will take place in Skopje on Friday.

The meeting will include Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, as well as representatives of EU member-states and European institutions.

Prior meetings of the Council were held in Brussels and this is the first time it is taking place in Skopje, considered by the Macedonian authorities as "an excellent signal"

The meeting will focus on status of reforms, progress of Euro-integration process and bilateral relations within the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

On Friday, High Representative Borrell is also expected to meet with President Stevo Pendarovski, Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Vice-Speakers, p[arty whips and MPs.

On Saturday, Borrell will take part at the EU-mediated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on normalization of mutual relations, which will be held in Ohrid. PM Kovachevski will host Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti at the Ohrid meeting.