News
9/28/2022 06:37
The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs today had a meeting with the newly appointed ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in our country, H.E. Matthew Lawson, during which they discussed the process of our country's accession to the EU and the promotion of cooperation between the two countries.
- The support from the United Kingdom for development cooperation with our country increased in 2018, as a positive reaction to the accelerated reform processes we are undertaking. We have successful cooperation on 3 twinning projects led by UK partners in the area of police reform and criminal justice, control of state aid, and promotion of equality, Maricik said at the meeting.
Ambassador Lawson welcomed the beginning of the negotiations and the active approach of the Government of North Macedonia in the first phase of the accession process. Lawson emphasized that we can count on the political, economic, and development support of the United Kingdom, in advancing the reforms, as our key partner.
At the meeting, they also discussed the current developments and challenges with the war in Ukraine, the sustainable supply of energy and food, and a mutual interest in strengthening the bilateral economic and political relations between North Macedonia and the United Kingdom was also expressed.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricik also informed him about the regional initiatives in which our country participates, noting that the Government is fully focused on the policy of cooperation as one of the bases for the overall progress of the region.
- The goal is to have a greater contribution from regional cooperation to the EU accession process, both through the Berlin process and through the "Open Balkans" initiative. We see these initiatives as a tool for further acceleration of integration in the region and for citizens to benefit from economic benefits, not as a replacement for membership in the Union, emphasized Maricik.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricik wished the new ambassador success in his work and continued good cooperation as before.