Brussels, 25 October 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj met with European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi in Brussels on Wednesday, discussing the current political developments in the country, the state of play of the screening process, as well as expectations ahead of the 2023 Progress Report.  

"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 after the meeting.  

In a Facebook post, he pointed out that the country's EU membership is within reach, and we need to take advantage of the positive political momentum. 

Marichikj underlined that EU membership remains a key foreign policy priority for the Government, adding that all efforts are being made to ensure that the country remains in the negotiation process and moves forward alongside other countries in the region.

The Deputy PM, who arrived in Brussels on Tuesday to take part in the Global Gateway Forum organized by the European Commission, 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. 

Marichikj and Makovec pointed out that EU membership must remain a key foreign policy priority of the country.  

"Western Balkan countries remain in the focus of the European foreign policy agenda. The EU appreciates North Macedonia's progress and expects to continue the negotiations with full commitment to reforms, particularly the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. We are fully aligned with the EU's foreign security policy, which is a confirmation of our commitment to the European path," Marichikj posted on Facebook after the meeting.  

Talks with Mordue pointed out that the enlargement policy is gaining a new pace, and the 2030 integration date is a significant step that comes two decades after the promise made at the Thessaloniki Summit. 

"President Michel's call for a 2030 integration date is significant. We stay committed to the EU agenda, making the 2030 enlargement goal achievable through parallel reforms at home and within the EU," Marichikj posted on Facebook, adding that talks focused on key negotiation issues.  

In addition to taking part in the Global Gateway Forum, Marichikj will also meet with European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, and Director General at the Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, MIA reports from Brussels. Marichikj will also 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.

The focus of the meetings will be North Macedonia's European agenda and the perspective of the accession process, with all its current and future challenges, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.

Photo: Facebook