News
10/4/2022 03:29
The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Bojan Maricik, today held a working meeting with the heads of the EU delegations in the country, the first since North Macedonia opened negotiations with the European Union, at which it was pointed out that North Macedonia has the capacity to be a successful European story.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricik once again confirmed that the European integration process must be a transparent and inclusive process and that the new negotiation structure provides opportunities for inclusion and cooperation with various stakeholders such as civil society, the academic community and the business community, adding that the cooperation mechanisms will be mutually agreed, in order to ensure a national consensus and the Parliament, i.e. its bodies - the Commission for European Affairs and the National Council for European Integrations to have an active role in the negotiation process.
The heads of the EU delegations in the country welcomed the start of the first phase of the negotiations, the screening process, and confirmed that North Macedonia is well on its way to ensuring good dynamics and a successful course of negotiations.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricik pointed out that the decision of the Council of the European Union to adopt the Negotiating Framework for North Macedonia and Albania, as well as the organization of the first Intergovernmental Conference, in July this year, is not only another key milestone in our relations, but also a confirmation of the EU perspective of our country.
- This decision should also be understood and conveyed as a positive signal for the whole region that the EU accession process of the countries of the Western Balkans remains a priority for the EU, regardless of the current global challenges such as the war in Ukraine, the energy and the economic crisis, Maricik said.
Maricik also used the opportunity at the meeting with the European ambassador Gir and the heads of the EU delegations in North Macedonia to emphasize that in the next period the partnership cooperation with the Commission and the member states of the European Union will be intensified during the screening process, but also presenting to our public the practical advantages and benefits of the accession process.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that North Macedonia remains committed to deepening regional cooperation and welcomed the initiative to intensify activities within the Berlin process, as a platform for closer regional integration and preparation for the internal market of the European Union.
As coming plans, Maricik announced the revision of the National Program for Adoption of the European Union law, which will be done in accordance with the findings of the forthcoming Report of the European Commission and the recommendations of review missions.