Earlier today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki, met Johannes van Baalen, MEP from the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) at the European Parliament and President of the Liberal International.

Foreign Minister Poposki informed his interlocutor about the activities the Republic of Macedonia undertakes on its way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as about the latest developments under the High Level Accession Dialogue with the European Commission and about the developments relating to the Chicago NATO Summit. Minister Poposki also expressed appreciation for the support that the Liberal International and its President van Baalen, as well as the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe at the European Parliament afford the Republic of Macedonia in this respect.  During the meeting, the expectation was presented that the reform results the Republic of Macedonia achieves and its constructive position and contribution to the protection of international security will be recognized with the adoption of a decision for start of EU accession negotiations and with an invitation to Macedonia to join NATO.

Liberal International President van Baalen reaffirmed the strong support to the European integration of Macedonia, and the endeavours to put an end to the Greek objection to the NATO membership of Macedonia and to the start of EU accession negotiations, in compliance with the Judgment of the International Court of Justice. The High Level Accession Dialogue should definitely and without any delay be transformed into official negotiations with the European Union, underlined furthermore MEP van Baalen. He reaffirmed the position of the Liberal International according to which the name issue should not block the EU and NATO membership of Macedonia.  

The visit to the Republic of Macedonia by Liberal International President, MEP Johannes van Baalen, is yet another confirmation of the excellent cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Parliament that has been repeatedly calling ever since 2007 for start of EU accession talks with the Republic of Macedonia without any delay.