The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in charge of European Affairs Fatmir Besimi, PhD, today (07.07.2014) has attended the meeting of the Macedonian Committee on European Affairs within the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, where the Programme and the working priorities of the Italian Presidency with the Council of European Union for the period July-December 2014 by the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in the Republic of Macedonia, His Excellency Ernesto Massimino Bellelli, have been presented.

The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi has congratulated the Italian Ambassador on the Italian Presidency with the Council of the European Union and has wished the Republic of Italy to successfully implement the planned priorities, especially in terms of the process of enlargement of the Union and integration of the region."The enlargement is especially important and is one of the European priorities. The integration of the Republic of Macedonia remains a strategic priority, and the European processes have been enjoying fully support from the whole political spectrum, including the opposition. The Republic of Macedonia continues to work on the priorities arising from the Progress Report and the conclusions of the European Council, whereas a priority have been the reforms in judiciary and an independent judiciary and strengthening of the confidence in the institutions, the human rights, freedom of expression, good inter-ethnic relations and good neighbourly relations”, said Deputy Prime Minister Besimi.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Ernesto Massimino Bellelli has informed that Italy will hold the Presidency under the motto "Europe, a new beginning" and has presented the country’s priorities set up on three pillars: Promoting the economic growth and employment, EU as an area of democracy, rights and freedom and the EU’s global role.

The Ambassador has also noted that the enlargement policy remains a strategic priority and a primary means for promoting peace, democracy and security in Europe. EU should demonstrate credibility and a clear commitment on the enlargement process, in order to motivate the candidate and potential candidate countries to take the necessary steps towards achieving progress in the accession process.

In his speech the Ambassador has also stressed the willingness and readiness of Italy to support the Republic of Macedonia in the process of fulfilling the European criteria and on its way towards the European Union.

At the end, Besimi has emphasized the successful tradition of excellent cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Italy, which has been continuously promoted and shares a common vision for the membership of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union