Crucial moment for Skopje

Sandra Kalniete Chair of the EPP Working Group on Foreign Affairs, Andrey Kovatchev, EPP Vice-Chair for Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy and Cristian Dan Preda, EPP Group Coordinator for the Committee on Foreign Affairs made the following statement:

”We warmly welcome the agreement reached between the two governments in Athens and Skopje that works toward solving the long-standing bilateral dispute between the two countries. We sincerely hope there would be a smooth implementation process on both sides, which will pave the way for Macedonia’s path towards NATO and allow the possibility to start EU accession negotiations. Euro-Atlantic integration is the best way to overcome historical obstacles in Europe and particularly in the Balkans. It is a crucial moment now for Skopje and we believe all political parties should strive to have a positive and constructive attitude to build the European future of the country.”

Furthermore, Mr. Kovatchev added, “this achievement follows the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborhood and Cooperation between Sofia and Skopje reached last year, which has the added significance of improving relations across the region and we will be following closely its full implementation”