Osmani-Mogherini: Coming hours could be crucial for talks’ outcome

There is serious progress and the two countries have never been closer to a solution. The coming hours could be crucial for the negotiations and I hope that a positive outcome will create an environment for enhancement of bilateral relations, as well as prerequisites for acceleration of Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic perspective, said Vice Premier for European Affairs Bujar Osmani on Thursday.

Vice Premier Osmani, accompanied by Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi, met in Brussels with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, referring to the progress in Macedonia-Greece relations, implementation of confidence-building measures, deescalation of political misunderstandings, but also the satisfaction from the advancement of the name talks, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.

Osmani briefed Mogherini on the new Plan 18, through which Macedonia remains committed to the reform process, amid the European Commission clear recommendation and the positive progress report.

“Plan 3-6-9 created a solid foundation for the implementation of essential and long-term reforms, towards bringing our society closer to Europe. Plan 18 represents a logical continuation of the Government’s reform agenda for systemic cooperation and monitoring the implementation of these reforms up to the start of EU accession negotiations,” stressed Osmani.

He voiced expectation that progress in reforms and removal of political obstacles would be properly acknowledged at the coming EU summit by the end of June, thus sealing Macedonia’s European future, but also the Euro-Atlantic orientation of the Western Balkans, reads the press release.