The President of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, during his participation at the EU-Western Summit Balkans, had a joint meeting with the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel and the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev. 

At the meeting, attended also by the Deputy President in charge of European Affairs, Nikola Dimitrov, the interlocutors expressed the commitment to the EU enlargement process with the Western Balkans, reaffirming the strategic interest of the Union on this issue. 

Prime Minister Zaev expressed his gratitude for this determination while underlining that it is of great importance that leaders such as the President Macron and the Chancellor Merkel undertake steps to help finding solutions on the bilateral disputes rooted in the past. 

During the meeting the President of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, commended the leadership of President Macron and Chancellor Merkel and thanked France and Germany for looking into the future and helping the resolution of the Balkan disputes from the past.

At the meeting Prime Minister Zaev expressed his expectations and the clear determination of the Macedonian citizens for a European future of their country. Moreover, he underlined that urgent European steps are needed from all EU member-states in order to prevent disappointment among our people and thus, to prevent the intensifying of the retrograde nationalist currents. 

During the talks, mutual readiness and interest were expressed by North Macedonia and Bulgaria to continue the dialogue between the two countries with the intention of reaching a solution.