Skopje, 30 October 2023 (MIA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resumes Monday her official visit to North Macedonia in the Government, where she will be welcomed by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski with highest state honors, followed by their meeting.

The Macedonian delegation also includes First Deputy PM Artan Grubi, Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova and Minister of Information Society and Administration Azir Aliu.

Kovachevski and von der Leyen will hold a press conference after the meeting and then visit a fruit and vegetable processing plant near Skopje, which has received EU funds within the IPARD programme.

After arriving late on Sunday, EC President von der Leyen met with President Stevo Pendarovski, discussing the process of European Union accession negotiations, political situation in the country and regional developments.

North Macedonia is the first stop on the EC chief's tour of the Western Balkans, also including Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Photo: MIA archive