President Stevo Pendarovski launched today his working visit to Brussels with the meetings with the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Oliver Varhelyi, and the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Other Regional Issues in the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcаk.
At the meeting with the Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Union, Oliver Varhelyi, President Pendarovski expressed gratitude for his commitment and support for the implementation of the agreement on distribution of 651,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to Western Balkan countries, of which our country shall receive 119,000 vaccines. The President said that it is crucial to accelerate the vaccination process in the coming period and to enable the life to return to normal as soon as possible, thanking the EU for its full support and assistance in dealing with the pandemic, as well as for the demonstrated solidarity.
President Pendarovski welcomed the role of Commissioner Varhelyi in the preparation of the economic-investment plan for the Western Balkans by the European Union and stressed the expectations that its implementation will have a very important positive impact on the socio-economic development of the countries and will strengthen the regional cooperation.
The interlocutors discussed the possibilities for North Macedonia to move forward in the European integration, in the context of the upcoming meetings within the European Union to be held in May and June this year, as well as the bilateral issues related to good neighborly relations. At the meeting, opinions and information were exchanged on overcoming the problems with Bulgaria.
President Pendarovski and Commissioner Varhelyi stressed the importance of holding an intergovernmental conference soon and formal start of accession negotiations for North Macedonia’s membership in the European Union.
The meeting with the European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Other Regional Issues in the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak, discussed the latest developments in the region, as well as the challenges it faces in terms of regional stability.
The interlocutors stressed the importance of regional cooperation and the European Union enlargement process. In that context, President Pendarovski said that North Macedonia is ready to start accession negotiations with the EU.
During his visit to Brussels, President Pendarovski will also meet today with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, the Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, as well as with the MEP and Rapporteur for the Republic of North Macedonia, Ilhan Kyuchyuk.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 28, President Pendarovski will meet with NATO Secretary General ,Jens Stoltenberg.
