Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić met in Zagreb 6 November 2017 with Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bujar Osmani, who was on a working visit to Croatia.
Pejčinović Burić and Osmani confirmed the traditionally friendly relations between Croatia and Macedonia, noting that the two countries wanted to intensify their cooperation, notably in the fields of enterprise, tourism and culture.
The two officials discussed the Macedonian government’s activities aimed at speeding up the country’s EU integration. Pejčinović Burić expressed strong support for the Macedonian government’s "3-6-9" action plan and underlined the need for comprehensive reforms so that Macedonia could obtain an unconditional recommendation from the European Commission that serves as the basis for a European Council decision on the launching of accession talks.
Also discussed was the prospect of Croatia’s further assistance to Macedonia in the form of transferring its EU accession experience. Croatia has been present in Macedonia as a partner in five twinning projects, more than in any of the EU member states.
Pejčinović Burić also stressed Croatia’s strong support to Macedonia’s NATO membership bid. Osmani thanked the Croatian embassy in Macedonia for acting as a liaison between his country and NATO.