Macinka: Czechia wants North Macedonia to join the EU as soon as possible

The Czech Republic considers North Macedonia’s integration into the European Union a priority and is ready to do everything necessary to accelerate the country’s membership. Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Petr Macinka made the statement today after meeting with North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski.

During the meeting in Ohrid, Macinka said that Czechia could share with North Macedonia the experience it gained on its path to joining the Union.

According to him, expanding the European Union to include countries negotiating membership, such as North Macedonia, is in their common interest. Macinka recalled that the Czech process had been long and difficult, while acknowledging that the right decisions had not always been made along the way. For this reason, he said, Prague has valuable experience to share so that North Macedonia does not repeat the same mistakes.

Macinka stressed that throughout the accession process, Czechia’s goal had been to transform the country so it could become part of the European Union. He added that at the time, it had been necessary to have someone inside the Union who spoke the same language, shared the same worldview and understood how the EU functioned. Now that the Czech Republic is a member, he assured Minister Mucunski and other representatives of North Macedonia that his country is a true friend.

The Czech diplomatic chief also said that North Macedonia could count on the support of the Czech Republic. He noted that Prague is closely following the complexities characterizing the country’s accession process.

For his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski pointed out that the visit is taking place in a year when the country is marking 35 years of independence, while diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic are entering their fourth decade.