News
2/1/2019 14:36
Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Bujar Osmani, who pays a working visit to the Republic of Finland, had a meeting with the Minister of European Affairs, Samo Terho, on which they opened the topics of the Union's enlargement process on the Western Balkans countries were opened, as well as the Euro-Atlantic perspectives of Macedonia.
"I am coming probably in the most important period for our European integration, right after the successful implementation of the Prespa Agreement, which is a historical trunover not only for our country, but for the region as well", stressed Osmani at the start of the meeting. He pointed out that Macedonia's success, to close all open political issues, and to impose itself as the only country in the Balkans, without any serious open issue, is a success of the European idea in the Balkans, and it will be an impetus for the other countries in the Balkans creating confidence in this idea. "Here, of course, I am speaking of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, whose success will mean full integration of the Balkans within the Euro-Atlantic structures, which will be a significant step in creating a safer, more stable and more prosperous Europe," Osmani said.
Presenting the dynamics of Plan 18 reform implementation, Osmani stressed the Government's implementation to implement in practice all undertaken responsibilities, thus creating conditions for clear recommendation from the European Commission, which would lead to confirmation of the decision for start of negotiations by the European Council in June this year.
"The European idea at the Balkans only makes sense if the process receives real valuation by confirming the decision and start of the negotiations with Macedonia by the European Council in June this year," Osmani stated, thus expressing hope that within the Finnish presidency in the EU, in the second half of this year, Macedonia and the EU will also hold the first intergovernmental session, which will formally be start of bilateral negotiations.
Having in mind the successful application of the bilingualism within the Finnish administration, where in addition to the Finnish, the Swedish is also official language, Osmani asked for support in knowledge, exchange of experiences and manner of implementation according to the needs for harmonisation of the administration in Macedonia with the new law on the use of the Albanian language.
During the visit at the Government of Finland, Osmani had a meeting with Nina Nurkala, special adviser for European affairs to the Prime Minister Juha Sipilya, and also with the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by the State Secretary, Samuli Virtanen. During the visit to Finland, Osmani also visited the Finnish Parliament, where he had a meeting with the delegation of the Committee on European Affairs, led by the Chairman, Arthon Satonen. At the margins of the meeting, Osmani had the opportunity to visit the so-called European Centre of Excellence, dedicated to combating modern hybrid threats, operating under the auspices of the European Union and NATO, located in Helsinki.