High Representative / Vice-President Josep Borrell met with the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, in Brussels on Monday and congratulated him on his appointment in the new government led by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

Josep Borrell said that the EU expects the new government to continue to deliver on the country’s EU commitments and to sustain and accelerate the implementation of EU-related reforms. This concerns in particular the rule of law and the fight against organised crime and corruption, as well as further strengthening of good neighbourly relations.

He also welcomed North Macedonia’s contributions to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations and the fact that North Macedonia’s level of alignment with EU foreign policy positions has increased in recent years.

The High Representative stressed that the EU remains committed to supporting North Macedonia in its response to the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences.