Skopje, 8 November 2022 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met Tuesday with UNDP Resident Representative Armen Grigoryan, accompanied by Japanese Ambassador Hironori Sawada, discussing North Macedonia’s further steps towards European integration. Kovachevski and Grigoryan agreed that the UNDP can help the EU accession process in terms of reforms, the Government said in a press release. They also discussed the importance of the National Development Strategy that the UNDP is implementing in North Macedonia and its contribution to the development of democratic society, promotion of social inclusion, environmental protection, innovation etc. PM Kovachevski thanked the UNDP for its support in the capacity building of institutions, development of economy, education, infrastructure, implementation of the green agenda and the current progress in the Euro-integration process. "The Government is focused on solving current energy challenges in order to secure a European quality of life for the citizens," Kovachevski said. Interlocutors also discussed the friendly and meaningful cooperation from Japan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and North Macedonia 30 years ago, reads the press release. dk/ik/