News
12/15/2022 08:36
The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bojan Maricikj, today held a meeting with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Leo Docherty, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation, the country's negotiation process with the EU, as well as the security crisis and the consequences caused by it.
The interlocutors agreed that the start of the negotiations of North Macedonia and Albania with the EU is an important step for the whole region, which is crucial for the stability and security of the whole of Europe, adding that the successful implementation of the screening process must be an incentive for accelerating reforms and reaching European standards and values.
Minister Docherty confirmed the principled support of the United Kingdom for the Republic of North Macedonia in the process of integration into the European Union, welcoming the efforts of the Macedonian Government for the implementation of the European reforms and for the overall progress achieved in this context. He stressed that cooperation between the two countries will continue in all areas in which the United Kingdom has the opportunity to provide support.
Discussing the security crisis, Maricikj and Docherty agreed that the Western Balkans is crucial for European security. The interlocutors also emphasized the need for coordination in responding to the challenges Europe is facing, including through Euro-Atlantic integration and support for the energy transition.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricikj pointed out that the country is fully compliant with the external security policy of the EU, but despite that, support and coordinated action are necessary, in order to prevent more serious possible consequences.
At the meeting, opportunities for the advancement of cooperation through the exchange of British experience within the framework of the European integration process, but also in the key processes related to the rule of law, the judiciary and the internal market, as overall reforms for the progress of society and the European path were discussed.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricikj at the meeting with his counterpart Leo Docherti and in the presence of the ambassador of the United Kingdom in the country, H.E. Matthew Lawson sincerely thanked for the support, engagement and contribution to the development of Macedonian-British relations, expressing his belief that the partnership and cooperation between the two countries will continue.