The Minister of European Affairs, Orhan Murtezani, today hosted a delegation of Swedish ambassadors visiting the Ministry of European Affairs, with whom they held a roundtable discussion in the context of Swedish support for the European integration process of North Macedonia.
Minister Murtezani expressed his gratitude for Sweden’s principled support for North Macedonia’s path towards the EU and its reform process. “As the single largest bilateral donor among the Member States of the European Union, Sweden has played a key role in shaping and strengthening our country’s transformation efforts. This support has been essential not only for facilitating our alignment with European standards and norms, but also for strengthening the foundations of our democratic institutions, economic resilience and environmental sustainability,” said MEP Murtezani.
The following is the full address of MEP Murtezani:
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, distinguished colleagues,
It is an honor and a privilege for me to welcome you today to the Ministry of European Affairs. Your presence here is a testament to the enduring partnership between North Macedonia and Sweden – defined by mutual trust, shared values and a shared commitment to improving democratic governance, sustainable development and European integration.
Let me, at the outset, express our deep gratitude for Sweden’s unwavering and principled support for North Macedonia’s EU path and its reform process. As the single largest bilateral donor among the European Union Member States, Sweden has played a key role in shaping and strengthening our country’s transformation efforts. This support has been essential not only to facilitate our alignment with European standards and norms, but also to strengthen the foundations of our democratic institutions, economic resilience and environmental sustainability.
We particularly appreciate the continuation and deepening of our cooperation within the framework of Sweden’s new Reform Cooperation Strategy 2021-2027, according to which North Macedonia remains one of the priority partner countries. The comprehensive and well-structured approach outlined in this strategy reflects a clear understanding of our reform needs and provides targeted support to address urgent challenges. It is particularly encouraging to see that the strategy covers key areas such as strengthening the rule of law, enhancing transparency, improving governance structures, promoting gender equality, fostering reconciliation and advancing environmentally sustainable development.
Sweden’s engagement with North Macedonia is about much more than financial assistance; it is a broader strategic partnership based on a shared European perspective. While the European Union still provides the bulk of financial support, Sweden’s bilateral assistance remains particularly important, not only because of its flexibility, but also because it is responsive to needs and aligned with our national priorities. The significance of this partnership is even greater when implemented in synergy with EU financial instruments, which enhances the effectiveness and impact of ongoing reforms.
The Ministry of European Affairs remains committed to ensuring that donor coordination mechanisms operate in an inclusive, transparent and results-oriented manner. Through the Sector Coordination Framework, we are working to refine and strengthen our national consultation processes, ensuring that external assistance is optimally aligned with our reform agenda. We recognize Sweden as a key partner in this hard work and look forward to continuing our cooperation to strengthen donor coordination at both strategic and technical levels.
Our long-standing cooperation has yielded significant results, in particular in strengthening institutions, improving governance, promoting gender equality and strengthening local capacities to access and use EU funds. In addition, Sweden has played a key role in supporting broader EU initiatives such as IPA, Twinning and TAIEX, all of which have been essential for strengthening our administrative capacity and legal approximation to the EU. In the future, we must seize these opportunities and expand our cooperation within the framework of EU territorial cooperation programmes.
Your Excellencies, North Macedonia’s European path is a path of determination and necessity, and it is a path that requires unwavering partnerships. Sweden has been, and continues to be, a reliable and committed ally in this process. We remain confident that our cooperation will not only continue, but also develop, but at the same time deepen, both in scope and substance, as we work together towards a more democratic, prosperous and sustainable future.
Again, I express my sincere gratitude for your continued commitment to North Macedonia and for Sweden’s immense contribution to our reform and development efforts. Today, I look forward to engaging in constructive discussions to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between our peoples.
Welcome once again and thank you.
