Skopje, 25 October 2023 (MIA) — Continuing North Macedonia's European integration path will be one of the key topics to be discussed during the upcoming visit of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in late October, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Wednesday.

In response to a reporter's question on whether von der Leyen's visit was aimed at persuading the opposition to vote for the constitutional changes required for the country to continue its accession talks with the European Union, PM Kovachevski said the decision to adopt the amendments was up to Members of Parliament.

He added that North Macedonia "is currently the best in the region" regarding its EU integration reforms.

"The EU, which has already started its own reform process, and given that new members will be admitted, wants to see the country amid its ranks. Because those who are the best should be the first to enter," Kovachevski said.

He also said the country's elections would be held as scheduled, and the exact date would be decided by parliamentary consensus.

The PM also said the EC head's visit would be an opportunity to discuss the screening process, the investments the EU has made in North Macedonia as well as the overall European integration process.

"A great friend of our country is coming to visit," Kovachevski said, adding that von der Leyen would meet with him and other government members as well as with President Stevo Pendarovski.

Last week, the prime minister said the European Commission President's visit was part of the regular communication between the EC and North Macedonia, highlighting that "no one is arriving to torture anyone, as the opposition says."

"One of the opposition leaders said the expected someone to torture him," Kovachevski said. "As you can see, no one was tortured and no one was pressured." mr/