Skopje, 5 February 2026 (MIA) - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali met Thursday with the European Parliament’s rapporteur for North Macedonia, Thomas Waitz.

According to the Ministry of European Affairs, the discussions at the meeting focused on the European integration process and the most recent European Parliament report on North Macedonia, adopted by a majority vote in July 2025, which highlights the progress achieved and stresses the need to address political obstacles in the accession process.

Deputy Prime Minister Sali expressed his gratitude for MEP Waitz’s continued support, reaffirming the position that bilateral issues should not pose an obstacle to the progress of European integration. MEP Waitz underscored that the enlargement process should be based on objective criteria and European values.

Both interlocutors agrees to continue close cooperation and maintain an open dialogue with European Union institutions, with the aim of accelerating North Macedonia’s path toward EU membership.

Photo: Office of the Minister of European Affairs