Zv.

The Prime Minister for European Affairs, Bojan Maricic, announces that he had an open and constructive conversation with the Acting Director for the Western Balkans in the Directorate General for Neighborhood and EU Enlargement Negotiations, Michela Matuela.

According to him, the progress made on the European agenda was reviewed, focusing on the current status of our European integration and the dynamics of the dialogue with neighboring Bulgaria.

"We are working intensively on fulfilling the tasks and criteria for the start of negotiations, with a special commitment to the European reform agenda and this is stated by all international reports.

"We agree with Matuela that the Western Balkans belong not only geographically, but also in terms of value to the EU, and that all countries in the region should become members of the EU when they meet the conditions for this," Maricic said.

He said that they are aware that the EU must adapt to the new conditions and situations created by the crisis in Ukraine.

"What is important, however, is that it remains committed to the Western Balkans and its European perspective.

"The start of negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania will be a success for the entire region and the European Union," Maricic added.