North Macedonia: remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference

Check against delivery!  Prime Minister, Dear people of North Macedonia,  thank you for the warm welcome here. It is my first time in North Macedonia. It is good to be in Skopje.  We just had a meeting on a broad range of topics. The European Union stands firmly with North Macedonia on your path to the European Union. North Macedonia is the first beneficiary in the region of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. You were just describing how well your economy is doing, I think we also benefit from that. And [you are] the first country in the region to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union.  This partnership boosts joint work on Ukraine, hybrid threats and counterterrorism, and it shows that gradual integration is working in practice – but we both want more, that is very clear.  North Macedonia belongs to the European Union. You have a strong track record of aligning with European Common Security and Foreign Policy. This is very important to us, especially in these very turbulent times that we see major geopolitical shifts happening in the world.  Your contribution to the EUFOR Althea in Bosnia Herzegovina is a clear example that you are a reliable partner for the regional security. I commend your strong efforts made by North Macedonia and your government on your reform agenda. You know better than anybody that the road to membership is not easy, so my message today is to stay on course and to take the next steps necessary towards the opening of...