Brussels, 9 May 2024 (MIA) - Belgium fully supports the EU perspective of the Republic of North Macedonia. In the framework of its long-standing policy of support to mediation projects across the world, and mindful of its role as Presidency of the Council of the EU, Belgium has decided to support a project proposed by The Centre for European Security Studies (CESS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson David Jordens has told MIA.

"The main goal of the project is to facilitate discussions between all political stakeholders in North Macedonia to galvanise consensus on the decisions required for completing the opening phase of the EU accession negotiations. This project aims to spur a culture of compromise among political parties and to develop ways forward, thereby contributing to the local ownership of the issue," says Jordens.

According to him, the project is led by Mr. Peter Vanhoutte, an independent high-level mediator with a long-standing experience on capacity building and mediation in the Western Balkans and North Macedonia in particular, and will remain under the independent responsibility of CESS.

The statement comes after recent media reports that Vanhoutte has arrived in Skopje to meet with representatives of political parties, NGOs and other experts, in order to "open the path for the constitutional amendments and ensure guarantees that there will be no more obstacles from Bulgaria or new problems on Macedonia's EU membership path", adding he would travel "for similar meetings in Sofia" after his stay in Skopje.

According to sources from the MFA, the mediation project funded by Belgium is focused on North Macedonia and Bulgaria is not in its scope.