North Macedonia – Meeting between Clément Beaune and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs of North Macedonia (27 October 2020)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, received Nikola Dimitrov, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs of North Macedonia, this morning.

This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the progress achieved by North Macedonia, as well as the reforms that the new government plans to implement in order to pursue its European rapprochement. The minister of state reaffirmed our approach regarding the EU accession process, based on the new enlargement methodology, as well as France’s full support for North Macedonia’s European prospects.

The minister of state underscored the excellent relations between France and North Macedonia and the prospects for deepening our cooperation. Clément Beaune and Nikola Dimitrov also discussed the regional situation in the Balkans, notably with respect to the next steps in the Berlin Process (meeting of foreign ministers on November 9 and summit on November 10) in which France is involved. The Berlin Process, which is being co-chaired this year by North Macedonia and Bulgaria, is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Western Balkans countries.