Skopje, 8 March 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Michela Matuella, held Wednesday the first Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) monitoring committee since the start of North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations.

Deputy PM Marichikj wrote in a Facebook post that efficient programming in this stage of negotiations will be crucial for the progress of reforms but also important for the sectors of transport and energy.

"IPA represents specific support for continuation of key reform activities. It determines the tempo of the negotiations process and is of enormous significance for our citizens, the region and the EU itself, since we are contributing to our stronger networking, faster integration and progress," says Marichikj.

Highlighting that the EU is the largest donor and investor in North Macedonia, the Deputy PM says planning of pre-accession assistance at a national level should further strengthen public administration reform, settlement of issues related to environment protection, as well as improvement of conditions for the rule of law, freedom of expression and social inclusion.

Photo: Facebook