Skopje, 23 March 2023 (MIA) -  Germany stands by North Macedonia for the country's next step forward in European integration, concurred Thursday's meeting between Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, expressing the expectation that this strategic issue for the country and the region will be in the forefront of all political entities in the country. 

Participants in the meeting highlighted the long-standing sincere and strong Macedonian-German friendship and partnership in the 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Government said in a press release. 

"Interlocutors pointed out it is of essential importance for the overall geopolitical context that the entire region continues to move on the path of European integration. And in that regard, the role of Prime Minister Kovachevski and the Republic of North Macedonia, as a factor of dialogue and stability in the Western Balkans, is welcomed," reads the press release. 

PM Kovachevski welcomed Minister Baerbock's visit at yet another important moment for the Republic of North Macedonia. 

"We made a historic step forward and started the EU accession negotiations in July 2022, which marked the beginning of a qualitatively new phase in relations with the European Union, after 17 years of a candidate status and after numerous challenges on the way to full-fledged EU membership, with the active support of Germany, which was particularly crucial during Germany's EU Presidency in 2020. Today we have that support again and it is of great importance because Germany enjoys a great reputation and deep respect among our citizens," said PM Kovachevski. 

The PM also highlighted the importance of the cooperation with Germany on an economic level, given that Germany is North Macedonia's first trade partner in recent years, the fifth foreign direct investor in the country, in which about 200 German companies operate, noting that 45 percent of the total Macedonian exports go to Germany, and that the large Macedonian diaspora in Germany is another solid bridge in mutual cooperation.

Participants in the meeting also commended North Macedonia's full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy. 

PM Kovachevski said North Macedonia also stands ready as OSCE Chair to contribute to processes towards greater stability in the overall European security. 

"The enlargement policy most directly contributes to maintaining peace and stability in our region, to the improvement of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights and freedoms," said Kovachevski.

In addition, interlocutors highlighted the importance of the Berlin Process as driving force of regional cooperation at the highest level, and a initiator of action plans for the Western Balkans' common regional market and the Green Agenda.