Zaev: Macedonia has support of the European countries for Prespa Agreement

Macedonia is a positive example in the Balkans and has the support of the European countries and EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn to implement the Prespa Agreement and to conclude the Euro-Atlantic integration process, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stated after the summit of heads of governments of member countries of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Zagreb.
According to Zaev, the summit is a good opportunity for Macedonia to reiterate its expectations for support from its partner-countries to become a member of NATO and to open negotiations with the EU.
“We sought support from the member countries regarding EU and NATO accession. Macedonia has been showing itself in a good light in building friendship, good neighborly relations, and reform implementation. It is expected that the process of enlargement will continue to include Macedonia,” said PM Zaev.
Answering journalist questions, Zaev said he hadn’t met with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban in Zagreb. Orban last night

attended a dinner reception organized by Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic, but he didn’t stay for today’s summit.
“In an another occasion, we will voice our expectations regarding a response to the request for Nikola Gruevski’s extradition, because according to international conventions and laws, he must serve his prison sentence in Macedonia,” said Zaev.
Asked whether Johannes Hahn has relayed some kind of message, he said that the EU Commissioner was content with Macedonia, the ongoing process in Parliament and the dialogue established between the ruling majority and the opposition. Commissioner Hahn, according to Zaev, said he expected that this would secure the required two-third majority in Parliament for the constitutional amendments in line with the Prespa Agreement.
The implementation of reforms in the judiciary and security services is going well, PM Zaev said adding that he hoped it would motivate the institutions to implement reforms.
Asked about Macedonia’s prospect as a NATO member, Zaev stated that Macedonia ‘shines’ in the Balkans. “Reforms implemented and the Prespa Agreement has opened the way and Macedonia will become the 30th NATO member.”