Skopje, 15 March 2023 (MIA) — As OSCE chairman and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani on an official visit to Sweden is meeting Wednesday with Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, the Embassy of Sweden in North Macedonia said in a press release that Sweden was increasing its support for North Macedonia’s reforms to 80 million Swedish crowns (about 7 million euros) in 2023, making Sweden one of the largest EU member-state donors to the country.

“North Macedonia and Sweden have excellent billateral ties and this year are celebrating 30 years since establishing diplomatic relations, and Sweden is a strong supporter of the country’s EU accession process,” the Swedish Embassy wrote.

Sweden's support to North Macedonia is part of the Strategy for Sweden’s reform cooperation with the Western Balkans and Turkey for 2021– 2027, aiming to contribute to closer ties between North Macedonia and the EU and to complement EU activities that focus on fundamental reforms. 

According to the release, projects funded under the strategy are those that help national authorities in their domestic reform efforts. Also supported are civil society projects as the country progresses in its EU integration.

“Sweden is significantly increasing its support for North Macedonia to help accellerate its EU integration process, especially as regards boosting its democratic and inclusive development. The notable increase in funding for North Macedonia is a reflection of Sweden's commitment to the position that North Macedonia belongs in the EU family," Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain is quoted as saying in the press release.

“Sweden delivers and we do it together with civil society and institutions. It is these very stakeholders who must drive the sweeping reforms needed on the road to the EU. The reforms will benefit Macedonians not as of the day North Macedonia joins the EU but from the day they are introduced.”

The Swedish strategy for reform cooperation focuses on four areas: (1) human rights, democracy, rule of law, gender equality; (2) peaceful and inclusive societies; (3) environmentally and climate-resistant sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources; and (4) inclusive economic development. mr/