Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Deputy PM Bojan Marichikj are slated to attend the final session of the screening on Cluster 6 in Brussels, focusing on Chapter 30: External Relations and Chapter 31: Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy.

Kovachevski is expected to inaugurate the bilateral screening meeting, signaling the closure of Chapters 30 and 31, thereby officially concluding North Macedonia’s EU screening process.

Additionally, PM Kovachevski will engage in a working meeting at the European Parliament, discussing EU Enlargement and its significance for Macedonia and the wider region with lawmakers from the EP’s Socialists and Democrats group.

Deputy PM Marichikj has a series of working meetings scheduled, including discussions with Margaritis Schinas, the European Commissioner for Promoting the European Way of Life, and Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR).

Later in the week, Marichikj will host the 5th meeting of the WBIF Strategic Board, focusing on the EU’s enlargement policy and the Growth Plan for the economies of the Western Balkan countries. The agenda will also cover the status of ongoing reforms and other pertinent national issues.

Recently, Marichikj participated in a Seminar on Enlargement organized by the European Parliament’s Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). His address centered on the EU accession policy as a catalyst for peace, democracy, and the rule of law. He advocated for completing accession negotiations with candidate countries by the end of 2030, emphasizing that the timeline depends on both candidate countries and the EU.

Marichikj highlighted the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as an accelerator for EU integration, aiming to create conditions for early EU inclusion. He stressed Macedonia’s commitment to constitutional amendments and the upcoming elections, aiming for a pro-European victory.

The seminar also featured Kosovo’s Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Ukraine’s Deputy Director for European Integration, and the Chairman of the Georgian Progressive Forum. MEP Alessandra Moretti moderated the panel discussion, which included open exchanges among MEPs, invited guests, rapporteurs, delegation chairs, and representatives from various partner organizations in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Closing remarks were delivered by MEP Tonino Picula, the S&D coordinator for Foreign Affairs.