A two-day visit to Poland by the President of North Macedonia, Stewo Pendarowski, begins in Warsaw on 24 October. He will meet with President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The talks will cover the current international situation in relation to the war in Ukraine and also bilateral relations. The topic of the integration of North Macedonia into the European Union will also be discussed.

Poland welcomed the information that accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania will start in July 2022. “We actively support the countries of the Western Balkans on their path to European Union membership”, said government spokesman Piotr Müller.

In Poland’s view, the expansion of the European community enhances stability and security not only in the Western Balkan region, but also in Europe as a whole. Therefore, Poland supports the Western Balkans in their development also within the framework of regional cooperation. “This is also taking place within the framework of the EU initiative dedicated to economic development and reforms in the Western Balkans region”, emphasizes the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

The head of the Presidential Office for International Policy, Jakub Kumoch, announced that the talks would cover bilateral relations, cooperation within NATO, North Macedonia’s European aspirations and the international situation, including the war in Ukraine and attempts to destabilise the situation in the Balkans.

“Poland appreciates the unequivocal stance of the Macedonian authorities, who have spoken out against Russian aggression”, he stressed.

Minister Kumoch confirmed that Poland supports North Macedonia’s efforts to become a member of the European Union. He recalled that President Duda played an important role in the Bulgarian-Macedonian talks that opened the way for Skopje to start membership negotiations.

Adrian Andrzejewski