North Macedonia has truly made progress under the Growth Plan and this is also thanks to your personal engagement and commitment. I thank you for that. You have already received €140 million, and with more payments in the coming weeks, and the progress is truly impressive, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski at the Government.
“North Macedonia has once again shown that it can make bold decisions about its future. The Prespa Agreement was a moment of true political courage. Today, North Macedonia is a valued NATO ally. Similarly, we are building our security together within the EU. You were the first country in the region to sign the defense and security partnership. You are part of the ‘Coalition of the Willing,’ because when a European nation and a friend came under attack, North Macedonia stepped up,” said the EC President.
My message is clear – you belong with us, at the table of the European Union, said Von der Leyen. Through great effort and dedication, accession negotiations began in 2022, but there is one key step you need to take to move forward and open the first cluster. I know how sensitive this is, but I want to be clear about what Europe stands for. We will welcome North Macedonia with its identity and its language. We believe that Macedonian culture and the Macedonian language can enrich our Union. Because our motto is ‘united in diversity,’ and we are very serious about that. Von der Leyen assessed that, should the situation be unblocked, the process involving Macedonia could move quickly, given that, as she noted, the country is already working intensively on the necessary reforms.
She also praised the “Vezilka” platform created by the current government team that offers a novel approach to Macedonia’s EU accession, enabling new companies to connect with the Union through artificial intelligence.
Responding to a reporter’s question, she indicated that she and PM Mickoski had discussed intensifying negotiations with Bulgaria and unblocking Macedonia’s path to EU integration. Pm Mickoski stated that he had already instructed Foreign Minister Mucunski to initiate a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart.