Skopje, 21 August 2023 (MIA) — Latest developments related to the process of amending the Constitution, for which the country has the full support of the EU so it can continue its process of European integration, were the topic of conversation at the Athens meeting between Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and the European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Monday.

According to an official press release, the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 20th anniversary of the Thessaloniki EU–Western Balkans Summit, highlighted the importance of adopting the constitutional amendments required for the country to continue its European integration process.

Prime Minister Kovachevski and EC President Von der Leyen also exchanged opinions on the screening process and the expected opening of the EU negotiations' first clusters.

They also discussed the benefits of the EU's new Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, including access to the EU single market and improving regional economic integration, which are extremely important for each of the countries. To speed up the fundamental reforms in the region, the Western Balkans would receive increased pre-accession funds from the EU, the release points out.

Speaking about the advantages of joining the EU, meeting participants once again stressed that it was crucial to seize this opportunity for North Macedonia's membership.

They also discussed the conditions and perspectives of the countries in the region, pointing out that their European integration was of great geostrategic and security importance for entire Europe. mr/