High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission Kallas in Skopje: North Macedonia belongs to the EU

26.05.2025 Press and information team of the EU Delegation to the Republic of North Macedonia

In her remarks at a joint press conference with PM Hristijan Mickoski, HR/VP Kaja Kallas stated that the EU stands firmly with North Macedonia on its path to the EU, that its future belongs to the EU, and that it should stay on course and take the next steps necessary towards the opening of the negotiations.

She stressed the country’s alignment with the with European Common Security and Foreign Policy, its contribution to the Althea mission in BiH and the government’s efforts on the reform agenda.

During the visit, part of her Western Balkans tour, HR/VP Kallas, together with foreign and defence ministers, Timcho Mucunski and Vlado Misajlovski respectively, took part in the opening of the Security and Defence Dialogue between the EU and North Macedonia.

The HR/VP and the Minister of Defence also visited the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF) at the Ilinden Barracks. Since 2023, the Council has adopted three bilateral support packages under the European Peace Facility to strengthen the capacities of the Army of North Macedonia, with a total of EUR 38 million.The packages are currently providing North Macedonia with military equipment and training in the field of logistics, engineering, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and electronic warfare, mobility, communication and information systems, medical and training equipment. North Macedonia also benefits from EPF support in the framework of a regional assistance measure for the Balkan Medical Task Force, amounting to EUR 6 million for the provision of medical equipment and field hospitals.

HR/VP Kallas concluded her visit with a meeting with young people at Europe House.