Skopje, 14 September 2021 (MIA) – Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska met Tuesday with Austrian counterpart Klaudia Tanner at the sidelines of the conference of defense ministers of the Western Balkans and Austria, discussing bilateral defense cooperation and Austria’s support to North Macedonia’s EU integration process. Ministers Shekerinska and Tanner agreed that EU must validate North Macedonia’s progress by opening the Union accession negotiations with the country, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. “Austria will continue to support North Macedonia. This is important not only for the stability of the region but also for the future of the entire Union. Our relations will continue to develop through dialogue and mutual understanding,” said Tanner. Shekerinska said Austria is one of the most vocal supporters of the region and North Macedonia, an approach that deserves great respect. “Our two countries are cooperating in the defense field and I hope for enhanced activities in the coming period towards promoting our bilateral cooperation. It is great that Austria has continually sent encouraging signals to the region and our country, for which we are especially grateful,” noted Shekerinska. She also highlighted Austria’s support during the recent wildfires and the pandemic, which reaffirms the excellent bilateral relations and Vienna’s valuation of North Macedonia’s accomplishments. Conference participants signed yesterday a joint declaration on strengthening the regional countries’ resilience and enhancement of the strategic dialogue in mutual relations and in relation to the EU, with emphasis on the modern regional leadership. The conference took place in the so-called “Graz Format” that was established at the 2018 meeting in Graz that included North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as Austria on behalf of the EU.