The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Bojan Mariciк, today held an online meeting with the directors of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Western Balkans, Sabine Stöhr and for Southeast Europe, Turkey and the EFTA countries, Susanne Schütz.

The positive signals and support we receive from the Republic of Germany are extremely important to us as well as a strong confirmation of Germany's commitment to the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, but also a recognition that as a country we have done a lot, we have implemented serious European reforms and we remain committed to European integration of the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Mariciк.

At the meeting they welcomed the progress in the negotiations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, and expressed the expectation that both countries are well on their way to close the open issues within a reasonable time so that the veto on our country is lifted soon.

The directors of the German Foreign Ministry for the Western Balkans, Sabine Stöhr and for Southeast Europe, Turkey and the EFTA countries, Susanne Schütz, agreed that the Western Balkan countries are an important part of Europe and that their lag is a lag for the Union itself.

In their opinion, the integration of North Macedonia and the Western Balkan countries in general into the EU in these times of instability caused by the military conflict in Ukraine, is crucial for establishing stability and peace in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Maricik informed them that the Secretariat for European Affairs is already working on revising and updating the reform plan - which will address the priority recommendations of the EC Report on the country, as well as fully preparing the state administration for the accession negotiations process, in order to respond to the required new Methodology.