New step forward in European integration, says Kovachevski at meeting with COELA
Skopje, 14 September 2022 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski alongside Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani met on Wednesday with the Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU (COELA), led by Leoš Javůrek and accompanied by EU Ambassador to North Macedonia David Geer.
Participants in the meeting agreed that this was a significant moment for the Republic of North Macedonia, as the first step after the opening of negotiations with the EU in July this year, in Brussels, and ahead of tomorrow's start of the screening process for the country's accession to the EU, which practically opens a new chapter in the European integration process, the Government said in a press release.
COELA representatives conveyed a message that EU members encourage the further process on the country's path to the EU and they firmly stand by the country towards dynamic achievement of the next steps within the screening process and in the negotiation process, until North Macedonia’s full-fledged EU membership.
European integration, interlocutors agreed, brings concrete economic and democratic benefits to the citizens of the country. It is also of great importance for the entire region, particularly amid the current geopolitical circumstances in Europe and the world due to the war in Ukraine, which also implies major contribution to European peace and stability.
In that regard, participants in the meeting expressed expectation for support from all political entities and the public in the next steps which are important for the European integration process, and regarding which technical assistance and necessary support has been announced from the EU members.
PM Kovachevski stressed that after a candidate status of 17 years, North Macedonia finally receives the deserved attention and place in the EU. He noted that the country has fully aligned with the EU's foreign policy, practices European values and remains committed to the achievement of a second strategic goal – EU membership, after the NATO membership.
“As part of the commitment to deliver swift and quality results in the European integration process, we will work with all stakeholders in the country,” said Kovachevski.
Deputy PM Marichikj said the Government was ready to show visible results in promoting the reform processes, which requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including close cooperation with the member states of the Union and the European Commission.
FM Osmani said the country was moving towards a new chapter in European integration, with today's meeting with the COELA working group, adding that this is an important moment for the future of the citizens and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Discussions also tackled other current issues in the regional, European and geopolitical context, noting that North Macedonia and the Western Balkan countries should be included in decisions on overcoming current challenges due to the war in Ukraine.
Talks concluded that EU enlargement with North Macedonia and the Western Balkan countries must continue and will continue, because it is both of importance for the country and the countries in the region, as well as the EU itself.
