Skopje, 15 June 2022 (MIA) - It is in the EU's interest to open negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, which will encourage other Western Balkan countries to stay focused on European reforms to achieve democratic standards, and it would be a pity if EU failed to use this historic opportunity, said Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Maricic at a meeting with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman in Skopje on Wednesday. Deputy PM Marichikj and Minister Grlic Radman discussed current political developments and the future of the region, and reaffirmed that any delay in the region's EU integration opens the door for the Western Balkans to move in a different direction, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. "It is crucial for us that the EU sees our implementation of the reform agenda and that we continue to manage the processes," said Marichikj. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Marichikj stressed that European reforms and the implementation of European standards in the country continue in order to enable a better life for citizens. Marichikj thanked Radman for Croatia's demonstration of European leadership and full support to progress in EU enlargement. "Croatia is our sincere friend and partner with whom we have traditionally good cooperation, which we will further strengthen in the negotiation process, because the Croatian experience will be very useful for us," said Marichikj. Interlocutors also discussed the opening of new opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the implementation of European programs, as well as the Interreg program for transnational cooperation, which are funded by EU IPA funds, reads the press release.