The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, called on North Macedonia to take the next steps necessary to start negotiations with the EU, BGNES reported.

In June 2022, the Macedonian parliament adopted the so-called "French proposal," according to which the country must include Bulgarians in the preamble of its constitution in order to start negotiations with the EU, BGNES recalls.

"You know better than anyone that the road to membership is not easy, and my message is to stay the course and take the next steps necessary to start negotiations (with the EU – ed.). The EU will continue to support the MFA in strengthening the rule of law, tackling corruption, and modernizing public administration in the country. Albania and Montenegro are good examples that progress can be achieved if there is political will," Callas said during a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje.

"We believe that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is the best guarantee for peace and security in the region," the head of European diplomacy emphasized.

"The EU stands firmly by North Macedonia on its path to European integration. North Macedonia is the first beneficiary of the Western Balkans Growth Plan and the first country in the region to sign a security and defense cooperation agreement with the EU. North Macedonia belongs to the EU and its foreign policy largely overlaps with the EU's common foreign policy. This is very important for us, especially in these turbulent times of major geopolitical change. Your contribution to the EU's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina is clear proof that you are a reliable partner for regional cooperation," Kallas added.

The High Representative was asked whether the EU had a plan B for Skopje's European integration, as European Council President Antonio Costa had earlier stated that no such plan existed.

"We are focusing on plan A and trying to make it work. If we focus on plan B, plan A is off the table. What I want to say is that we still believe in plan A and if it does not work, we will move on to a new phase," said Kallas.

She added that the integration of the Western Balkans is a guarantee for peace and stability in the region, especially against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions observed globally. | BGNES