News
12/9/2021 01:15
The first day of the working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov started with a meeting with Martin Schulz, current President of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and former President of the European Parliament.
Deputy Prime Minister Dimitrov informed on the latest political developments in North Macedonia with an emphasis on the European portfolio, and they also discussed the situation in the region in the context of European integration.
Dimitrov: "North Macedonia has proven that it strongly represents the European narrative of values and is a stable partner on the European scene that contributes to the well-being of the region. We have invested serious political capital based on the European promise, it is time to direct our attention and energy towards the Europeanization process and fulfillment of citizens' expectations.
If the EU finally supports the Macedonian story and the huge investment in this issue that is reflected throughout the region, then the Union will show that it is a force that pulls for good."
President Schulz stressed the importance of the Prespa Agreement in the context of its responsibility to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond, along with the apparent democratic progress that North Macedonia has made in recent years and its nearing to shared values.
In his opinion, further delay in the start of accession talks with the EU due to the blockade by Bulgaria is indecent and hazardous for the stability of the region and the European vision, so that the support for this issue will continue to be manifested through the activities of the Foundation and his personal engagement.
These topics were also discussed at the German Foreign Ministry at a meeting with Sabine Stöhr, EU Policy Officer at the German Foreign Ministry, and Susanne Schütz, Director at the German Foreign Ministry, for Southeast Europe, Turkey and the EFTA countries, to which Deputy Prime Minister Dimitrov conveyed the expectations that Germany shall continue to remain proactive towards achieving the jointly established strategic goal and informed them about the updated status of the reform process within the "Agenda: Europe at home".
Dimitrov: "The start of the accession negotiations will be a validation of the progress of North Macedonia, achieved with great help and support from our German friends who in principle represent what is truly "European" in the integration process.
The start of the negotiations will give the necessary impetus to the reform process, and at the same time it will renew the impetus for the EU enlargement policy."