Skopje, 19 November 2025 (MIA) – Here, in Skopje, the perspectives of future EU accession are a major topic. Germany supports Macedonia on this road, which hasn’t been always easy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an Instagram story after a meeting last evening with his Macedonian counterpart Timcho Mucunski.

“North Macedonia has already achieved a lot. Now, progress in the relations with Bulgaria remains crucial in order to make headway in the accession process,” said the post of FM Wadephul, who paid his first official visit to the country as part of his Western Balkans tour.

Germany and North Macedonia have been fostering close ties, he noted. “Almost 30 percent of the students in the country are studying German,” the top diplomat posted.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said he and his German counterpart reaffirmed the joint commitment to improving bilateral cooperation and the friendly relations between the two countries.

“The visit by the German foreign minister is a clear confirmation of Germany’s strong support to the European perspective of the region as it yet again affirms the importance Germany attaches to the Western Balkan region, especially to our country,” said Mucunski. 

“Minister Mucunski thanked for the continuing and unwavering German support for the EU integration process of the country. He told Minister Wadephul about current activities regarding the European agenda, reform processes, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, reaffirming the government’s strong commitment to reform implementation and progress on the path to EU membership,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in a press release.

Minister Wadephul reassured that Germany remains a strong supporter of the integration bid of the Western Balkan countries to join the EU, including our country. He said that full European integration of the region is the strongest guarantee ensuring long-term stability, peace and prosperity in Europe, stated the press release.

Also on Tuesday, Wadephul met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.Talks focused on current regional challenges and opportunities for joint initiatives, PM Mickoski said in a Facebook post.

"Today I met with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. We discussed deepening cooperation between the two countries, current regional challenges, and opportunities for new joint initiatives," PM Mickoski's Facebook post read.

Photo: Instagram, MIA file photo