Prime Minister Petr Fiala supports the accession of Northern Macedonia to the European Union

On Tuesday, 29 August 2023, Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with the President of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Steve Pendarovski, at the Kramář Villa. During the meeting, they discussed in particular North Macedonia's path to the European Union and the opportunity for the development of trade cooperation between the two countries.

After joining NATO in 2020, North Macedonia's priority is to join the EU. The country started accession negotiations in July 2022, at the beginning of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council.

“I confirmed to President Pendarovski that the Czech Republic supports the membership of Northern Macedonia in the EU. If the EU is not strong in the Western Balkans, Russia and China will strengthen their influence there, which is not in our interest,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Together with President Pendarovski, they also discussed cooperation between the two countries in the development of energy, the automotive industry and agriculture.

“A number of Czech companies operate in North Macedonia, and that is why we want to deepen our mutual cooperation,” the Prime Minister added and recalled that North Macedonia is a very important business partner for the Czech Republic. The trade turnover between the countries amounted to almost EUR 406 million in 2022 and is thus slowly returning to its pre-civil war level.

President Pendarovski is in the Czech Republic for a three-day official visit, to which he was invited by President Petr Pavel.