The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Bojan Maricik met today with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of North Macedonia H.E. Jaroslav Ludva and Deputy Ambassador Lubomir Psenka, and discussed the relationship between the two countries, the European integration process of North Macedonia, the ongoing implementation of the reforms, the situation in the region and the war crisis in Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Maricik briefed Ambassador Ludva regarding the implemented reforms on the road to the EU up to now, and also on the dynamics of the talks and cooperation with the Republic of Bulgaria.

-The cooperation is a condition for stability and development in the region, and each party must display genuine commitment to this objective. Our country unequivocally showed that it is a promoter of regional partnership and cooperation, and thus actively contributes to the stability – which is very important for the EU and beyond. EU membership is our strategic commitment and we are working hard to remove the obstacles to the start of the negotiations. The Czech Republic has always supported us in the European integration process and hopefully will continue to do so during the country’s EU presidency, said Deputy Prime Minister Maricik at the meeting.

During the meeting, Ambassador Ludva presented the priorities of the Czech presidency with the EU to Deputy Prime Minister Maricik pertaining to our country, stating that the Czech Republic remains a principled supported of the EU enlargement policy of the Western Balkan countries. In that sense, the strong support of the Czech Republic for the start of accession negotiations of North Macedonia with the EU was reiterated and confirmed.

The interlocutors agreed that North Macedonia does not have another alternative to ensure better living standards for its citizens but EU membership and introduction of European standards and values, and that the Union ought to finally deliver what has been promised to the country, based on its achieved progress.