Skopje, 5 February 2025 (MIA) - Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani, who is continuing his two-day official visit to Brussels on Wednesday, met with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Oliver Röpke, discussing the role of economic and social partners as well as civil society in the European integration process, the Ministry of European Affairs said in a press release. 

Minister Murtezani welcomed the EESC's initiative for deeper involvement of the civil society sector, trade unions and chambers of commerce in the enlargement process, pointing out that an inclusive and broad social dialogue is key to successful implementation of reforms related to European integration.

He added that North Macedonia has already developed mechanisms to involve the civil society sector in the policy-making process, including the European integration process, noting however that more concrete cooperation with European institutions is needed to deepen such cooperation. Minister Murtezani said the participation of civil society organizations in European platforms, such as the EESC, is a valuable tool for sharing experience and good practices, as well as strengthening public support for the reforms required by the EU.

Interlocutors agreed that EU enlargement is not just an institutional process, but a transformation that must be led by all segments of society. Minister Murtezani reaffirmed the Government of North Macedonia's readiness to strengthen cooperation with the EESC, in order to better use the opportunities offered by the committee for the inclusion of the civil sector in European processes.

Photo: Ministry of European Affairs