Estonia: Foreign Affairs Committee acknowledged North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations

NordenBladet — At the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) confirmed Estonia’s continuing support to North Macedonia and acknowledged the country’s aspirations in continuing the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa said that solving the years-long naming dispute with Greece was an example of good political will where two countries had been able to overcome a complicated confrontation. Eesmaa added that now the naming dispute no longer hindered North Macedonia’s aspirations in joining NATO and the European Union.

“Estonia has always supported and continues to support your country’s accession to NATO and the European Union,” Eesmaa assured the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. Eesmaa said that in the nearest future the Riigikogu would ratify the protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia, which had been approved by the Government of Estonia earlier this week. When the protocol has been approved by all member states, North Macedonia will become the 30th member state of NATO.

Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson welcomed the future new ally and expressed hope that the cooperation in the Alliance would be excellent. “Estonia has always supported enlargement of NATO,” Mihkelson said. “Now that you have made the decisive steps towards NATO, you can focus on implementing the important reforms that are necessary for opening the accession negotiations with the European Union.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia spoke of the preparations of the country for joining NATO and of the ongoing reforms that were necessary for opening the accession negotiations with the EU.

At the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia was given an overview of the work of the Parliament of Estonia. The security policy situation of the Balkan region, hybrid threats and common responsibility in fighting against disinformation were also discussed at the meeting.

Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Keit Pentus-Rosimannus and Raivo Tamm also participated in the meeting.

Source: Parliament of Estonia