Skopje, 21 March 2019

Norway and Sweden with Support to the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia for the EU accession talks

„Our goal as a commission is to have the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia prepared for the start of the accession negotiations with the European Union“, stated the president of the Commission for European Affairs in the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Artan Grubi, at today’s promotion of the assistance for the process of accession negotiations that the Parliament will receive through the component for strengthening the capacity for EU integration that is part of the projects financed by the Kingdom of Norway and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

“This support to the Committee for European Affairs comes at the right time and is directed towards improving the institutional and administrative capacities of the Committee on both the expert and the technical level, as well as to the Members of Parliament, members and deputy members of the committee, and the technical staff that works for them. For the first time in the history of the Parliament, a parliamentary committee, through its work and cooperation with partners and allies from the international community is the recipient of direct support that confirms its role for building democratic capacities”, stated Mr. Artan Grubi.

The focus of the component to support the Commission for European Affairs will be to assist in implementation with an appropriate training plan for the Parliament, as well as expert assistance to enhance the capacities to conduct accession negotiations with the European Union.

“Cooperation is key for accession to the European Union since with EU membership you become partners with many other states. I expect that the EU accession will enable macro-economic growth of North Macedonia. I hope that this materializes soon”, stated Mr. Arne Bjørnstad, Ambassador of Norway.

In the next two year the Commission for European Affairs will cooperate with experienced international and national experts who are working on issues related to the EU integrations and who will transfer their experience and expertise with the members of the parliament and the technical personnel of the parliament.

“EU membership of North Macedonia is of great interest and strategic importance for all. With constant efforts to implement reforms, leadership and an inclusive process, this goal can become a reality. Sweden will support you in this process, and this is why we are promoting this project today”, said the Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Mats Staffansson.

The support to the Commission for European Affairs is provided through the Kingdom of Norway and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency within the larger support these two countries are providing to several state intuitions of the Republic of North Macedonia in the process of accession negotiations with the EU through the Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia project.