Skopje, 16 May 2024 (MIA) - Despite the fact North Macedonia was in an election period, we worked intensively to finalize our 2024-2027 reform agenda. The latest draft version of the agenda approved by the Government was shared with the European Commission at the beginning of May. I expect the latest roadmaps, which refer to an accelerated advancement towards the common internal market, as well as the reform agenda, to be implemented, said Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi at Thursday’s Regional Leaders' Summit held in Kotor under the theme "One Region, Common Vision."

“At the same time, I would like to emphasize two other important moments that happened after the meeting in Tirana. The first one was at the end of April, when North Macedonia submitted its pre-application for membership in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). And the second one, which refers to the initiative of the European Digital Innovation Hubs – in March, we announced a public call to which several digital innovation hubs applied. These are small yet significant steps that affirm the direction the country is moving in,” Xhaferi said.

Xhaferi said he expects the latest roadmaps that refer to an accelerated advancement towards the common internal market and the reform agenda to be implemented with the same enthusiasm and commitment. 
In terms of regional cooperation, Xhaferi said the country will support the established foundations in the new action plan for a common regional market.

“Since we are in a period before the creation of a new government, the detailed activities that the relevant institutions will oversee are to be established in the period to come. Here I would like to highlight the fact that for the new action plan for a common regional market to succeed, the work of CEFTA should be unblocked, and I think that the time has come for North Macedonia to have its own representative at the highest level,” Xhaferi said.

In his address, Xhaferi voiced hope that “this traced path will continue to act as a guide for the future Government of North Macedonia, as well”.