Skopje, 21 February 2024 (MIA) - Caretaker Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski, Deputy Minister Nazim Bushi and additional Deputy Minister Mitko Bojmacaliev met Wednesday with Polish Ambassador to North Macedonia, Krzysztof Grzelczyk.

Toshkovski briefed Ambassador Grzelczyk on the ministry's role in the caretaker government in the process of organizing the upcoming elections. The Ministry's current management is putting efforts and committed to organizing European, fair and democratic elections, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release.

Minister Toshkovski welcomed the understanding EU member-states have regarding the technical nature of the issue with the travel documents, and the willingness to overcome it. In absence of a joint decision, each member-state must personally decide its stance on the matter. In that regard, Ambassador Grzelczyk conveyed Warsaw's position that this is a technical, not a political issue and that they will not hinder Macedonian citizens on Polish territory from moving freely, until those citizens are able to return to their home country with the old travel documents.

Ambassador Grzelczyk highlighted cooperation so far, especially during the migration crisis where Poland and its Border Guard provided support to our southern border, and is currently doing the same through the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

Toshkovski added that cooperation between the two countries in ongoing projects will continue, announcing an increase in cooperation with Poland as a long-standing partner.

Additional Deputy Minister Bojmacaliev expressed gratitude for Poland's overall support to the country, as partners through Frontex, which was made possible with the agreement former Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski signed with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. Also, he highlighted commitments for the coming period in terms of organizing free, fair and democratic elections in line with European standards. ssh/nn/

Photo: Ministry of Interior