The Latvian Foreign Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia discuss bilateral cooperation and North Macedonia’s EU integration

On 22 April 2021, the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Nikola Dimitrov, who was in Latvia on a working visit.

During their meeting, Edgars Rinkēvičs and Nikola Dimitrov discussed bilateral cooperation, North Macedonia’s integration with the European Union and latest developments in the Western Balkans and international affairs.

The Ministers welcomed the opportunity to meet again in Riga. Nikola Dimitrov was in Latvia for a working visit in 2017 in the capacity of North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister, and Edgars Rinkēvičs visited Skopje in March 2020 together with his counterparts from Poland, Estonia and Lithuania to express support for North Macedonia’s integration with the EU.

Latvia’s Foreign Minister praised the active bilateral political cooperation and outlined support provided by Latvia to Western Balkan countries. Edgars Rinkēvičs affirmed that Latvia is prepared to support North Macedonia not only politically but also through taking part in TAIEX and Twinning projects in various fields.

The two ministers focused in particular on North Macedonia’s integration with the European Union. Nikola Dimitrov informed the Latvian Foreign Minister about the successful ongoing course of EU-related reforms in North Macedonia. Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined that Latvia strongly supports the launch of North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations and holding the first intergovernmental conference at the nearest possible time.

Edgars Rinkēvičs and Nikola Dimitrov also exchanged views on the EU enlargement policy and developments in the Western Balkans.