Skopje, 1 September 2021 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s European perspective must be realized in line with the EU council decision, having in mind results achieved in implementation of the European agenda, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said during a meeting with North Macedonia’s Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov on Wednesday. Kofod, who is paying an official visit to North Macedonia, reaffirmed support for the official start of the process by holding the first intergovernmental conference. He underlined North Macedonia’s progress and extended congratulations on demonstrating leadership in solving issues crucial for the region, as well as for Europe. Deputy PM Dimitrov stressed that North Macedonia’s file plays a decisive role in maintaining the dynamic of the enlargement process and EU’s credibility in the region. “The start of North Macedonia’s EU accession talks is an issue that’s weighing on the Union and a test for validating the European perspective of the region. Progress in the EU integration process based on objective valorization of the Copenhagen criteria will introduce a new energy and trust in strengthening the European idea of unification, crucial in the context of processes taking place within the Union,” Dimitrov said. Interlocutors also discussed at the meeting, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release, North Macedonia’s European file and ways to overcome the obstacles for holding the first intergovernmental conference with the EU. Moreover, they stressed the importance of continuous implementation of reforms, focusing on the first cluster – Fundamentals. Dimitrov and Kofod also talked about strengthening bilateral cooperation in the context of support for the process of adopting European values and standards in key areas, such as rule of law, through projects and expert assistance.