Skopje, 14 February 2024 (MIA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi met with European Council President Charles Michel in Brussels on Wednesday, exchanging views on the European Union's support to North Macedonia's Euro-integration process, as well as ongoing reform processes in the country which are of exceptional importance for progress, the Government said in a press release. 

Participants in the meeting welcomed the EU's renewed enlargement momentum, noting that it should be an incentive for implementing reforms in the Western Balkan countries, with a focus on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and faster integration in the European Union. According to Xhaferi, the EU perspective remains the main driving force for change, as well as reconciliation in the region.

"Interlocutors pointed out that North Macedonia maintains excellent relations with all the Western Balkan countries. Last year, as OSCE chair, North Macedonia confirmed that it continues to be a credible partner of the EU and the international community. Prime Minister Xhaferi thanked European Council President Michel for the support in the country's European integration process," reads the press release. 

First Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Bojan Marichikj, and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani also attended the meeting. 

"This is Xhaferi's first visit to Brussels in the capacity of Prime Minister, and European Council President Charles Michel congratulated him on his new post, stressing that the coming period is of exceptional importance for the country that needs to conduct European elections and maintain the European course," the press release adds. 

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia