Foreign Secretary confirms UK commitment to European enlargement for Western Balkans
Foreign Secretary William Hague discussed Macedonia's progress towards EU and NATO membership when he met Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in London on 23 November.
The Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Gruevski discussed Macedonia’s progress towards EU and NATO membership. He expressed the UK’s strong support for Macedonia’s EU and NATO ambitions, and welcomed the reiterated recommendation from the European Commission that Macedonia is ready to open accession negotiations with the EU. The Foreign Secretary encouraged Prime Minister Gruevski to continue with its reform agenda, which will also create a more conducive environment for increased foreign investment in Macedonia.
The Foreign Secretary said:
“Macedonia has continued to make progress on its path to EU and NATO membership. We are pleased this has been recognised in the latest European Commission assessment and look forward to continued reforms which will generate further stability and prosperity in the country. I also look forward to the day when Macedonia can take its place in these organisations. We acknowledge the complexity of the name issue dispute with Greece, but we strongly encourage both sides to be flexible and resolute in reaching a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible.”