PM Zaev Attends Meeting of Western Balkans Leaders in Brussels

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev travelled to Brussels, where he attended on Tuesday evening a business dinner with all leaders of the Western Balkans, organised by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. “North Macedonia managed to fulfil all obligations and criteria to start the EU accession talks and hold the first inter-governmental conference with Brussels, and this has been recognised by the European Commission (EC) in its reports on North Macedonia. The representatives of the EU understand very well that the Macedonian identity and language cannot and shall not be subject of negotiations. Still, we remain on the line that we are ready to negotiate with Bulgaria to come up with solution for our bilateral issues. EU is not complete without the Western Balkans in it, and we hope that Brussels will keep its promises,” Zaev said before the meeting. EU High Representative Borrell said that the EU wants to increase its focus and dedication towards the Western Balkan region, adding that the main goal of the business dinner is for the EU to hear the concerns, visions and ideas of the Western Balkan leaders for their respective countries and the cooperation between them for mutual bright future.