The State Secretary for European Affairs Ms Ana Blazheska within its authority, today had a meeting with representatives of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

The European Council on Foreign Relations, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, works on a new project entitled "Securing Europe's position in the Western Balkans", as part of a wider programme for Europe.

The State Secretary of SEA was closely acquainted with this project which consists of research, publication and realisation of series of events in Europe.
State Secretary Blazheska stressed the importance of the seventh consecutive recommendation for start of EU accession negotiations during the meeting. They discussed several activities implemented by the Government in order to improve and enhance the level of preparedness of the Republic of Macedonia for membership in the European Union.

The European Commission's readiness to propose to the Council opening of the accession negotiations was stressed at the meeting, as it would be of great importance not only for Macedonia but for the region.
At the end of the meeting ,the Secretary Blazheska noted that despite this project, the Secretariat for European Affairs is fully open to cooperation with the European Council on Foreign Relations.