Skopje, 18 December 2024 (MIA) - Today we are here in Brussels to send a message that Macedonian citizens and the state of Macedonia deserve their place with the other 27 EU member-states, and our place is on the same table because we share the same values, fight for the same values and believe in those values - united in diversity, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Wednesday.

PM Mickoski is heading a Government delegation, also including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski and Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani, to the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

Mickoski has already met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

"We discussed all the fears and everything that the country and its people had to do in the past in the name of the European values, and that we should never again, for our sake and for the sake of the values we share with the EU, discuss bilateral issues and identity issues, and that no one has the right to deny our ages-long identity and our Macedonian language," said Mickoski.

Mickoski is also scheduled to meet with Polish and Spanish counterparts, Donald Tusk and Pedro Sanchez respectively, followed by his participation at the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

"I expect positive impressions, we are here to defend the Macedonian interests, the Macedonian identity, but at the same time to send a message that our place is right here, as equal and full-fledged member of the European Union," said Mickoski.

Implementing the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, regional integration efforts and ways to further improve the gradual integration between the European Union and the region will be in the summit focus.

Over dinner, leaders will also discuss the geopolitical context and challenges affecting both regions. The summit will be chaired by President António Costa, for the first time in his new capacity as the President of the European Council.

On Thursday, PM Mickoski will take part at the European People’s Party (EPP) summit in Brussels, held ahead of the meeting of EU heads of state and government.

Photo: Screenshot