Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in charge of European Affairs, Fatmir Besimi, PhD today, has had a working meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy, Her Excellency, Federica Mogherini, as part of her working mission throughout the countries of the Western Balkans in support of their EU integration process.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister Besimi has taken the opportunity to personally congratulate and show appreciation to Mogherini regarding the Italian Presidency with the Council of the European Union and the Agenda with the priorities, implemented by Her Excellency, including the enlargement as one of the main priorities of their Presidency with the Union, which has been exceptionally important for the Republic of Macedonia and the Western Balkans.

At the meeting, Besimi has pointed out that the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union remains high priority of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. Furthermore, in the next period, strong efforts will be put on the reform process in order a progress to be achieved, which would be noted in the Autumn Report of the European Commission. Continuous work has been done in the area of judicial reforms and strengthening the confidence in the institutions, the rule of law, the freedom of speech, the political dialogue, the interethnic and good neighbourly relations, said Besimi.

At the meeting Besimi has emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Macedonia expects the support from the Italian Presidency on the initiation of the negotiation process and that the issue concerning the negotiation process would be put on the Agenda of the Meeting of the EU Council in December.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Mogherini, has welcomed the reforms that the country has been implementing and has pointed out that Republic of Italy, during its Presidency with the European Union, would be seriously committed to the process of EU enlargement.
At the meeting, Mogherini has pointed out that Macedonia should continue with the constructive approach on resolving the name issue with the Republic of Greece, by encouraging the both countries to make an effort to find a mutually acceptable solution which would open the way for Macedonia towards EU and NATO.

Besimi has emphasized that a resolving of the name issue requires, beside the constructive approach from the both sides greater commitment and support from the EU Member States.