Skopje, 25 January 2024 (MIA) — Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs Bojan Marichikj held Thursday a working meeting with Belgian Ambassador Frédéric Meurice, discussing the priorities of Belgium's EU Council presidency and the next steps on North Macedonia's European agenda.

According to the Secretariat of European Affairs in a press release, Marichikj and Meurice discussed the commitment of the Belgian presidency to North Macedonia's progress on the EU path and to the EU enlargement strategy, seeking solutions and dedicated implementation of planned activities.

"The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the country's commitment to fulfilling the conditions for convening the Second Intergovernmental Conference," the release says.

Pointing out that the country was thoroughly preparing for the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the release notes that there would be many benefits of its implementation throughout the region and in the country, which would result in "a real transformation of our societies and citizens."

Marichikj and Meurice expressed their belief that through the administration's dedicated efforts and political parties' conscientious actions, the country's success in joining the EU was imminent, realistic and achievable, the release adds. mr/