Today in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government in charge of European Affairs had a meeting with N.E. PhD Guido Westerwelle, Minister of foreign affairs of Federal republic of Germany.
The Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Fatmir Besimi and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the FR of Germany, H.E. Dr. Guido Westerwelle, discussed about the progress of the European integration and the current political situation in the Republic of Macedonia. During the meeting they also paid attention to the activities that the Government of the Republic of Macedonia takes towards implementing and fulfilling membership criteria for the European Union. In addition, a special accent was put on the obligations that arise from the High Level Accession Dialogue, with the aim to maintain the dynamics in the realisation of the foreseen measures.
On the meeting of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government in charge of European affairs and the Minister of foreign affairs of the FR Germany, it was underlined that the Council’s December conclusions are a solid possibility for acceleration of the reforms.
Regarding these conclusions, for sooner opening of the negotiations for membership of the Republic of Macedonia, in anticipation of the Spring Report of the Commission, Deputy Prime Minister Besimi stressed that the Government's focus will be directed towards priority areas in fulfilment of the commitments undertaken within the Accession dialogue and the report on good neighbourly relations.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in charge of European Affairs informed that a review for the achieved degree of fulfilment of the provided measures in the key five reformation areas has been prepared: freedom of expression (media), rule of law, public administration, inter ethnical dialogue and elections reform, and it has been submitted to the European Commission.
The initiatives on good neighbourly relations are strategic objective of the Government and during this period we are working towards intensive and constructive advancement of the cooperation and the mutual confidence, underlined Besimi.
The European integrations of the Republic of Macedonia in the EU were discussed on the talks, focussing on the realisation of the signed Agreement between both governments, on technical cooperation, through a legal framework for implementation of two projects related to the eurointegration. “Support for the Secretariat for European Affairs” and “Support for the Regional and Local Economic Development”.
In the end, what was underlined was the importance for the Republic of Macedonia of showing advancement toward the beginning of the negotiations with the European Union and the need of the contribution from all relevant factors in the country toward this process, in order to overcome all challenges through a dialogue.