Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in charge for European Affairs Fatmir Besimi, PhD had a meeting today with the Director of the Directorate for Enlargement of the European Commission, Ms. Alexandra Cas Granje.

During the meeting they discussed about the key priorities of the Republic of Macedonia in the process of the European integration, as well as its prospects and reforms which are undertaken for realization of the European agenda.

Deputy Prime Minister Besimi stressed that Euro-Atlantic integration remains a key strategic priority of our country, while the Government is continuing to enforce the necessary reforms and measures to further legal and institutional approximation to the European Union.

At the meeting were discussed the achievements within the Action Plan and the activities envisaged in the National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), as well as priorities that are crucial in the process of accession to the European Union, appointed with High Level Accession Dialogue, such as: freedom of expression and the media, the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organized crime, inter-ethnic relations, public administration reform, good neighborly relations, regional cooperation and increasing of the economic growth and employment.

The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi also emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as national IPA structures are committed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the established decentralized implementation system (DIS) of the IPA. Hence with the concrete measures and deadlines, they work directly on improving the performance of these structures, as well as regular monitoring of the progress made by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. By strengthening of the current DIS system and adapting it to the new trends for implementation, which as a novelty will be imported from 2015, the Government expects a direct influence on increasing the absorption capacity for IPA I and II, but also a stable course of the project implementation.

At the same time the Government continues to define the areas and activities for funding through IPA II. Namely, after the official approval of the IPA Programme for 2014, a new cycle of programming the IPA Programme for 2015 has started, which should be completed by the end of the first half of 2015.

Both sides stressed the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia for membership in the European Union and NATO, as well as that the all parties need to work on reforms and a political dialogue to be provided with constructive and responsible attitude in those institutions that will be of importance for integration of our country.

Today’s meeting between Besimi and Ms. Alexandra Cas Granje was the last meeting, on the occasion of the completion of her mandate as Director of the Directorate for Enlargement of the European Commission.