Brussels, 26 October 2023 (MIA) - Development of policies and the degree of alignment of Macedonian legislation with the EU acquis in the area of fisheries will be in the focus of the agenda of the bilateral screening meeting on Chapter 13 - "Fisheries", taking place in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.  

"By achieving the standards within this chapter we will be ready to access EU structural funds intended for fisheries," Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj posted on Facebook. 

He pointed out that although North Macedonia is a landlocked country and is only presenting inland fishing in lakes and aquaculture, it is important to adopt the standards related to this area and thus open the possibility for citizens who engage in fishing to become more competitive for export to the European, as well as the regional market.

"Let's take advantage of the opportunity offered by EU membership and systematically regulate this area, for economically, ecologically and socially sustainable fisheries, according to European standards and regulations," Marichikj added. 

Deputy PM Marichikj resumes Thursday his visit to Brussels, taking part at the Global Gateway Forum where he addressed a debate entitled "Stronger Together Through Sustainable Investment", MIA reports from Brussels.

Marichikj also held bilateral meetings with European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, Director General at the Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, and European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, discussing among other the current political developments in the country, the state of play of the screening process, expectations ahead of the 2023 Progress Report, the EU's commitment to creating a favourable environment for its enlargement by 2030, as well as its readiness to further promote the negotiations process with North Macedonia and the region in the coming period, which will lead to clear and visible results in the efforts of getting closer to the EU. 

The Deputy PM, who arrived in Brussels on Tuesday, also met with Deputy Managing Director for the Western Balkans at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Marko Makovec, as well as with Simon Mordue, the Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the European Council Charles Michel.   

"North Macedonia has a place in the EU, now is the time to speed up the accession process. With the new plan for accelerated EU integration of the Western Balkans, the message is clear that the region must prepare faster for membership in the EU, and essentially move towards full integration into the Union with concrete steps," Marichikj said. 

In addition, Deputy PM Marichikj will hold a briefing with the working group of the Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU (COELA), and a working meeting with Acting Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Michela Matuella, to discuss the screening process and the preparation of strategic documents - Roadmaps for opening Cluster 1 - Fundamentals.

Photo: Facebook / MIA archive