European External Action Service
European External Action Service
06/03/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/03/2026 06:57
President Costa visits North Macedonia
Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski
It is a pleasure to be here today in Skopje. Thank you again, dear Hristijan, for your hospitality and for our productive discussion.
Enlargement is our shared goal, and North Macedonia's future firmly lies within the European Union. Your government has shown commitment, and I want to commend the sustained efforts you have made.
In particular, I would like to highlight the importance of the recent, tangible progress on the Reform Agenda towards the adoption of roadmaps for rule of law and public administration reforms, which is important for North Macedonia to benefit from the European Union Growth Plan and to advance the EU accession.
I also commend your full alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. It sends a powerful signal of North Macedonia's strategic orientation and shared values.
The European Union has delivered lasting peace and stability for its member states through resilient democratic institutions and strong economic bonds. Enlargement offers those same opportunities to our neighbours in Europe - like North Macedonia.
Adopting the agreed constitutional amendments remains the necessary next step towards formally starting the accession negotiations. It is the only way to unlock the full benefits of European Union membership for the people of North Macedonia.
The European Union is the Western Balkans', and North Macedonia's, most reliable partner, its main investor and trading partner. We are committed to supporting you further - both politically and financially.
But ultimately, the power to shape your future is in your hands. The only way to make progress towards European integration is to engage in a constructive dialogue with your neighbours, take pragmatic steps to build trust and carry out the necessary reforms.
Dear Hristijan, we will meet again at the end of this week in Tivat, in Montenegro, together with leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans. The Summit will be a clear demonstration of our determination to bring forward our cooperation and build on the momentum of the European Union's enlargement.
I am looking forward to that.
And once again, thank you very much for your hospitality.
Videos from the press conference:
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