Skopje, 7 March 2023 (MIA) — The future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union and North Macedonia has full support in its European integration process, according to Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain at Tuesday’s government session she attended at the invitation of Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski.

According to a government press release, the Ambassador of Sweden, which holds the current Presidency of the Council of the EU, spoke about the Swedish presidency's priorities. She stressed its committment to European integration, especially in light of "the new urgency brought by the geopolitical situation,” she said.

“North Macedonia has proven well prepared and professional in the screening process,” Ambassador Larsson Jain said, adding that the country’s alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy was highly valued.

In her address on the Swedish presidency's priorities, the ambassador also spoke about security issues, competitiveness, renewable resources and energy transition as well as safeguarding democratic values and dealing with crime and corruption.

Prime Minister Kovachevski thanked Sweden on its support, adding that peace, security, democracy and the rule of law were fundamental values of North Macedonia as well.

He said the aim of the government reshuffle was to form a new parliamentary majority in an attempt to faster meet the requirements for EU integration, to contribute to the successful completion of the screening process, and to open the first cluster dedicated to fundamental values.

He added that the Western Balkans were an inalienable part of the European continent and of fundamental importance for preserving regional peace, security and prosperity.

He also welcomed the EU’s focus and unprecedented unity in its response to the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. He said North Macedonia was actively providing help to Ukraine as much as possible and supporting it on its European accession path.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani also addressed the session.

Deputy PM Marichikj stressed the importance of maintaining the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

“Our priority is to keep moving forward on the European path during the Swedish presidency and we think it is time this movement gained more momentum,” Marichikj said, pointing out that Sweden was a great friend of North Macedonia and the countries had excellent bilateral ties.

Foreign Minister Osmani, thanking the Swedish presidency for its prioritizing the Western Balkans, agreed that the future of the region was in the EU. mr/