Marichikj – Azeski: Together we’ll transform Macedonian economy into European one
Skopje, 7 September 2022 (MIA) – Deputy PM for European Affairs and chief negotiator of the team tasked with negotiating with the EU, Bojan Marichikj, held a working meeting with President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski, discussing cooperation with the Economic Chamber in the process of negotiations.
“The better the Macedonian economy adapts, the easier it will be after joining the EU. We are strengthening cooperation with the Economic Chamber, in the field of European integration, with the aim to fulfill obligations in the best possible way, as well as prepare for the opportunities that future membership will bring for the Macedonian economy and society as a whole,” said Deputy PM Marichikj, as cited in a press release from the Secretariat for European Affairs.
Azeski pointed out that the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia welcomes the start of the process and accepts the request for the inclusion of the business community in the negotiating team.
Chambers, Azeski stressed, must be involved in the negotiation process from the very beginning as a key link with the companies that will ensure the transparency of the process towards the business.
To that end, the Chamber’s President has proposed Jadranka Arizankovska as coordinator of the negotiation team from the Chamber, who has 33 years of experience in chamber work, and has been, among other, the project manager on over dozen of projects in the Chamber implemented by European programs through the European Commission and has more than 20 years of work experience from direct cooperation with European institutions on topics that contribute to bringing the Macedonian economy closer to European legislation.
“I believe the experts from the Chamber, who will be involved in the work of the negotiating work groups from the beginning of the accession negotiations, will make a significant contribution to the fulfillment of European obligations, both with professional knowledge and with direct contacts and input from the business community,” Marichikj pointed out, wishing success to Arizankovska and good cooperation with the Secretariat for European Affairs.
Marichikj told Azeski that negotiations should proceed at an accelerated pace and be closed as soon as possible in line with the new EU methodology.
“They should enable major changes in the economy and in other areas (judiciary, the rule of law, environment, institutions) that cannot be achieved without being put in certain framework and consistent implementation. The negotiating structure from the Macedonian side will include experts, civil servants with many years of work experience in this field, business experts and professionals, both from the country’s institutions and from abroad, who have experience in conducting negotiations and accession of other countries in the EU, with the aim of efficient and successful negotiations to deal with all challenges,” reads the press release.
