Today, during his visit to Brussels, the President of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. 

At the meeting, where he was accompanied by the Deputy President of the Government in charge of European Affairs, Nikola Dimitrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, PM Zaev conveyed the message to the President Von der Leyen for even more active involvement of the European Commission in finding decision for de-blocking the process for commencement of membership negotiations between the EU and North Macedonia. 

PM Zaev underlined that the Macedonian language and the Macedonian identity, imposed as issues on behalf of Bulgaria, must not be subject to discussions and the engagement of Brussels and that only this way North Macedonia will continue the talks for its European future. 

“The Macedonian identity, besides being an issue of pride, it is also an issue of facts, science, tradition and national feature of our people. It is not and it will not be subject to negotiations. The European values are our benchmark, but protection of the identity is also a European value”, said PM Zaev on his meeting with von der Leyen. 

Furthermore, Zaev added that North Macedonia has implemented all reforms and that their implementation is subject to several processes for application of European standards at home and that all criteria set by EU for opening the membership negotiations have been met. 

During the meeting with PM Zaev, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, confirmed that the EC will include itself with even more substantial and committed engagement, since, as she said, this is a very important process that cannot postpone the start of negotiations with North Macedonia for EU membership and that she invests her efforts for both countries, North Macedonia and Albania, to jointly continue these negotiations without further postponements.