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Murtezani: We are prepared for essential dialogue with Bulgaria

by AI | 05.Sep 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Brussels – As a Government, we are ready for a substantive dialogue with Bulgaria, which should end with overcoming the obstacles on our path to full membership in the European […]

Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia. Photo: MIA

Brussels – As a Government, we are ready for a substantive dialogue with Bulgaria, which should end with overcoming the obstacles on our path to full membership in the European Union, while protecting the interests of both countries, stated today in Brussels the Minister for European Affairs Orhan after the meeting with the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi. 

– I informed Commissioner Varhelyi about the Government’s priorities, as well as that the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia is among the key priorities of the country. The European Commissioner informed me that the European Commission and the institutions of the European Union welcome the Government’s commitment, especially in the speed with which the reform agenda was processed and implemented, which I personally consider as one of the greatest achievements of the Government’s first hundred days, Murtazani told MIA. 

The meeting also discussed the challenges and obstacles on the road to the country’s full membership in the European Union, including constitutional changes. 

– What is important at the moment is that the European Union stands firmly behind the Republic of North Macedonia in finding a way to overcome this dispute. I informed the Commissioner that as a Government we are ready for a substantive dialogue with our neighbor the Republic of Bulgaria, a dialogue which we believe is necessary and which should end with overcoming this problem, while protecting the interests of both countries, Murtazani added. 

Meeting of the Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia, Orhan Murtazani, and the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels. Photo: MIA

Murtazani and Varhelyi also discussed the implementation of the Western Balkans Growth Plan, which also includes funds for the countries of the region to strengthen economic capacities and implement targeted reforms determined by the reform agenda. 

– It is about a reform agenda which first prepares our institutions and the state for full membership in the European Union, but also creates a certain dynamization, i.e., strengthening the economic capacities of the country, emphasized the Minister for European Affairs. 

He recalled that it is a financial framework of 750 million euros envisaged for the country, of which 250 million in the form of grants and 500 million loans under favorable conditions for the realization of specific projects and for the implementation of the reforms.

– Considering that the reform agenda is currently awaiting approval from the European Commission, i.e., the IPA Committee, if that is completed by the end of the month, it remains for us in the Assembly to ratify the Loan Agreement and the Instrument for Growth and Reforms, after which the first tranche will follow. According to our estimates, this could happen in October or early November, emphasized Murtazani. (September 4 )