RIGA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) —

Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics affirmed here Thursday Latvia’s support for Macedonia’s integration with the EU and urged the country to carry on with necessary reforms.

Rinkevics made the remarks during a meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Dimitrov to discuss international affairs, the situation in the Western Balkans, bilateral relations, the Latvian Foreign Ministry informed.

“I confirm Latvia’s readiness to support Macedonia’s way to the EU and NATO both politically and practically. We are ready to talk about issues that have be solved both in the EU and NATO context. I am glad that Macedonia is developing as a democratic country and we welcome the reform processes currently taking place in Macedonia,” said Rinkevics.

He also praised the implementation of the project of Strengthening of the Rule of Law in Macedonia, which is a pre-accession assistance instrument worked out by the Latvian Justice Ministry in collaboration with Croatia.

He noted that both Latvia and the whole European Union (EU) are interested in a stable Western Balkan region.

Speaking at a news conference following the talks, Dimitrov voiced confidence that Macedonia will become a partner in the Europe’s democratic space.

He said Macedonia believes that the Baltics and the Balkans have a common future in the EU, the Macedonian foreign minister stressed, adding that his country is determined to move forward and achieve progress, offering the European Commission sufficient proof that the Balkan country’s judiciary is independent and its media free enough.

This will give Macedonia the opportunity next year to start convincing EU member states, including Latvia, that Macedonia deserves an invitation to start accession talks with the EU, Dimitrov added.

Dimitrov is in Latvia on a working visit this Wednesday and Thursday.

Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-03 06:29:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan