The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in charge of European Affairs, Dr. Fatmir Besimi, today met Mr. Libor Rouček and Mr. Tonino Picula, Euro parliamentarians of the Social Democratic Alliance at the European Parliament.

At the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister Besimi referred to the status of implementation of activities related to the European Integration process, whereas the focus was put on the obligations arising from the High Level Accession Dialogue i.e. the reforms that are achieved in the area of freedom of expression, rule of law, electoral reform, reform of public administration, and further implementation of the economic criteria.

At the meeting, it was informed about the findings and recommendations of the Report that was adopted by the ad hoc Committee about the events from 24 December, as well as about the signed Memorandum of support of the membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union, which was signed by the political parties, and that arise as an obligation from the Agreement of 1 March.

The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi informed the Euro parliamentarians about the efforts undertaken by the Republic of Macedonia regarding the further promotion of good-neighbourly relations and regional cooperation, as well as in terms of resolving the name dispute with the Republic of Greece.
"Taking into account the results achieved in the past and the strong commitment of the Republic of Macedonia in implementing the reforms, we expect the progress to be duly recorded in the Autumn Report of the European Commission and the Republic of Macedonia to get a long awaited date for the start of negotiations with the European Union in order to maintain and increase the support for European Integration by the citizens of the country. In addition, we hope that the European Parliament will approve the Report and it will repeat its position for the start of the accession negotiations of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union", said Besimi.

The Euro parliamentarian Libor Rouček noted that having a consensus among political parties on key issues of national interest is of particular importance for the country.