First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali, as part of his visit to Bratislava, met with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár.
The meeting reaffirmed the excellent relations between the two countries and Slovakia’s continued support for the European perspective of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans.
Sali thanked Minister Blanár for the hospitality and for Slovakia’s continued engagement in keeping enlargement high on the European Union’s agenda, particularly highlighting Bratislava’s active role within the Friends of the Western Balkans.
“North Macedonia’s European future is our strategic choice, and we remain fully committed to reforms and to fulfilling the obligations arising from the accession process. At the same time, it is essential that the process remains credible, predictable and merit-based, where the fulfilment of agreed commitments is followed by concrete progress,” Sali stressed.
In this context, the interlocutors also discussed the importance of good-neighbourly relations and the need to address bilateral issues through dialogue, mutual understanding and respect, while preserving the European and reform-oriented character of the accession process.
Sali stressed that North Macedonia remains committed to constructive dialogue with Bulgaria and to building sustainable good-neighbourly relations, underlining the importance of ensuring predictability and confidence that the fulfilment of agreed commitments will enable progress towards the next stages of the negotiations.
The interlocutors also discussed the gradual integration of candidate countries into EU policies and the Single Market, implementation of the Reform Agenda and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, as well as opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and exchange Slovakia’s experience in the European integration process.
Sali emphasised that the support of friends and partners such as Slovakia is important both for North Macedonia’s advancement towards EU membership and for preserving the credibility of the enlargement policy throughout the Western Balkans.
