Within the visit to Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister in the Government in charge of European Affairs, Dr. Fatmir Besimi yesterday (21.03.2013) held his first meeting with the General Director of the Directorate for Enlargement of the European Commission, Mr. Stefano Saninno.

The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi informed Saninno about the achieved progress in the realization of the agreed reform objectives within the High Level Accession Dialogue, and about the preparations for the conduct of the fourth meeting of the HLAD as well, and about the preparation for the Spring European Commission Report. The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi announced that until the end of March at the latest, the Government will submit an updated Review of the Realization of Priorities agreed within the framework of the HLAD (previously submitted to the EC in February 2013).
At the meeting, the main accent was put on the selected priorities which were pointed out by the European Commission and for which a considerable progress should be presented. DPM Besimi informed about the agreed activities of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia regarding the promotion in the part of the media, as well as the rule of law, and especially regarding interethnic relations.
The expectations for appropriate valorisation of the achieved results in the Spring European Commission Report were particularly discussed at the meeting, as well as regarding receiving a date for start of accession negotiations with the EU; furthermore, it was pointed out that good interethnic relations and the conduct of fair and democratic elections will be reflected in the Spring European Commission Report.

Within the two-day visit to Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister Besimi today (21.03.2013) met Pierre Vimont as well, Executive Secretary General of the European Service for Foreign Affairs. At the meeting the interlocutors pointed out the activities that are undertaken regarding the promotion of the political dialogue, and which are within the priorities of the High Level Accession Dialogue, especially in relation with the European agenda and euro-integration process.

Waiting for the local elections on March 24 2013, DPM Besimi stated that the conduct of the elections in a peaceful, fair and democratic manner is a significant priority for the country, not only on the very Election Day, but during the political campaign as well. He informed about the activities which were undertaken for public awareness strengthening, for the secrecy of the voting process as means for fight against intimidation and encouragement of the citizens.

The meeting repeated once again the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia regarding the realization of the agreed priorities within the HLAD, the strengthened activities in the previous period for the purposes of further progress regarding the freedom of expression in the media, the rule of law, the public administration reform, the electoral reforms and the strengthening of the market economy.

During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Besimi also held a meeting with Gilles Merritt, Secretary General of “Friends of Europe”, then he had a briefing in front of the General Director for Enlargement and the European Service for Foreign Affairs, and he will hold a meeting with the representatives of the Committee of Western Balkans – COVEB within the Council of the European Union.