Skopje, 4 October 2021 (MIA) — North Macedonia’s strategic goal of joining the EU and expectations for the next EU—WB summit in Brdo near Kranj, Slovenia, were the focus of Monday’s meeting in Berlin of Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, according to an official press release. Topics related to the country’s European integration as well as the latest regional developments were also discussed at the meeting. “Friends and partners take into account each other's perspectives and interests,” Minister Osmani is cited as saying in the release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Our meeting was an in-depth exchange on the likelihood of North Macedonia’s next step toward the European Union. It is a privilege to have Germany as a friend and supporter sincerely helping us meet our strategic goals as an important geostrategic investment.” At the meeting, Minister Maas stressed it was high time the European Union implemented the consensual decision made in March 2020 and started accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. “I want to express my full support to the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which has promised to end the current stalemate,” Maas said, adding that the Brdo summit should send an unequivocal message of support for the Western Balkans' joining the EU. “The enlargement policy will gain great credibility with progress in the North Macedonia dossier soon,” Maas said. “I want to emphasize the strong consensus among the political parties in the German Bundestag regarding our continued support for the Western Balkans' accession path to the EU.” “Our engagement will continue through and beyond the current phase of transition, and after the formation of our new government,” Germany’s foreign minister added. Osmani and Maas also talked about developing bilateral relations, economic cooperation, the Covid-19 pandemic, current foreign policy issues as well as cooperation in a number of multilateral organizations, the release adds. mr/