Marichikj: Full inclusion of all to result in successful negotiations
Skopje, 4 October 2022 (MIA) – Deputy PM for European Affairs and chief negotiator Bojan Marichikj held on Tuesday a working meeting with heads of EU delegations in the country, a first one since North Macedonia opened negotiations with the Union, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.
“We have set an ambitious goal to be ready to join the Union by 2030, and I assure you that this Government is fully committed to that. We know it won't always be easy, but I believe that if we all put in the right effort, it can be done. The country has the capacity to be a European success story,” Marichikj said.
The Deputy PM reiterated that the European integration process must be a transparent and inclusive one, adding that the new negotiating structure gives opportunities for inclusion and cooperation with various stakeholders including civil society, the academic community and the business community, and the mechanisms of cooperation will be mutually agreed, in order to ensure a national consensus and the Parliament, i.e. its bodies - the European Affairs Committee and the National Council for European Integration play an active role in the negotiation process, reads the press release.
Heads of the EU delegations in the country welcomed the beginning of the first phase of the negotiations, the screening process, reaffirming that North Macedonia is on the right track to ensure good dynamics and successful negotiations.
According to Marichikj, the decision of the Council of the European Union to adopt the negotiating framework for North Macedonia and Albania, as well as the organization of the first intergovernmental conference in July this year, is not only another key turning point in the relations, but a confirmation of the country’s EU perspective.
“This decision should also be understood and conveyed as a positive signal to the entire region that the EU accession process of the Western Balkan countries remains a priority for the EU, regardless of current global challenges such as the war in Ukraine, the energy and economic crisis,” said Marichikj.
Marichikj, the press release adds, also used the opportunity at the meeting with the EU Ambassador Geer and the heads of the EU delegations in North Macedonia to stress that in the coming period the partnership cooperation with the Commission and the member states of the European Union will intensify during the screening process, as well as while presenting to the public the practical advantages and benefits of the accession process.
North Macedonia, the Deputy PM added, remains committed to deepening regional cooperation and welcomed the initiative to intensify activities as part of the Berlin process, as a platform for closer regional integration and preparation for the internal market of the European Union.
Commenting on plans ahead, Marichikj announced revision of the National Program for adopting the EU acquis, which will be done in accordance with the findings of the upcoming European Commission report on the country and the recommendations of the missions, the press release reads.
