Skopje, 18 November 2024 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi met Monday with the European Parliament's North Macedonia Rapporteur Thomas Waitz, saying the country continues to work on goodneigborly relations, settlement of open bilateral issues through dialogue in the spirit of European values, and the reform process that should lead to fulfillment of the strategic objective.

Speaker Gashi expressed hope that the Resolution that MEP Waitz would draft as the country rapporteur reflects the real situation, the Parliament said in a press release.

Waitz briefed Gashi on current developments in the European Parliament, political groups and the decision-making process, as well as thoughts on reforms in the context of enlargement.

Interlocutors welcomed the adoption of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans that aims to prepare the region towards EU membership. Conditioning the allocation of funds with implementation of specific reforms, primarily in the rule of law, fight against corruption, fundamental rights, economic governance, strengthening of democratic institutions, and public administration reform, is to accelerate the required socio-economic and fundamental reforms, reads the press release.

Speaker Gashi also met with MEP Thijs Reuten from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, in the capacity of North Macedonia shadow rapporteur.

Gashi informed Reuten with the country's European integration developments, with both agreeing that the EU must send a clear and strong message amid this critical moment regarding the opening of accession chapters, so that citizens witness the vision over the country's further development.

Reuten said that one of the first tasks of the new enlargement commissioner Marta Kos is to visit the Western Balkans, adding the importance of EU member-states sending clear messages that would validate prior achievements.

Photo: Parliament