Prime Minister Miro Cerar pledged Slovenia's continued support for Macedonia in its bid to join the EU and NATO, as he addressed reporters after talks with Zoran Zaev in Skopje on Tuesday.
The country has been making reform progress and I expect it will obtain positive recommendation for commencing the EU accession talks, Cerar said
‘I am particularly pleased to see that Macedonia has been making reform progress and that the parliament intends this month to review the package of key bills that should lead to significant reforms in the judiciary and other spheres, which is the only way for the country to be able for a relatively short period join the EU and NATO,’ Cerar said.
The EU-integration process of Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries should be intensified, the Slovenian PM said.
‘The Western Balkans is part of Europe and the integration of Western Balkan in Europe should be a part of daily agenda for the process to gain momentum. I expect for the European Commission to soon recommend for Macedonia to commence the EU accession talks that should stimulate more positive processes. Stable and successful Macedonia is in the interest of the region and the entire European community,’ Cerar said, voicing great expectations from the next month EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia.
Today Macedonia has gotten yet another confirmation that Slovenia is a staunch supporter of its EU, NATO aspirations, Zaev said.
‘We need support ahead of the newly announced Macedonia-EU dialogue within the implementation of the EU enlargement strategy and in a period when the current and future holders of the EU Presidency – Bulgaria and Austria respectively – are focused on the region. The government believes to get clear EC recommendation this month, which offers possibility for Macedonia to obtain a date for opening the EU accession talks at the EU-WB Summit in Sofia and the EU Council meeting in June,’ Zaev said.
Referring to the economic cooperation Cerar voiced satisfaction that Slovenia was among the top investors in Macedonia.
The 2017 trade exchange was higher for 10 percent, Cerar said, notifying that Slovenia would keep supporting Macedonian projects for environment protection and energy efficiency. There is also room for cooperation in the spheres of agriculture, tourism, steel and other industries, he added.
Tomorrow Cerar and Zaev will open a business conference at the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.
Slovenian PM Cerar is also scheduled to meet President Gjorge Ivanov and Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi.
