State Secretary Dovžan outlined for Deputy Prime Minister Dimitrov the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency, with particular focus on fostering awareness about the geostrategic importance of the EU enlargement to the Western Balkans. The pair were in full agreement that the European perspective of the countries in the region needs to be further strengthened and put into effect according to each candidate country's progress, which must reflect, in a credible way, their commitment to fully satisfy their agreed commitments or reforms during the EU accession process.

In this context, the State Secretary voiced his support for North Macedonia's further efforts on its European path. He also expressed his conviction that all the reforms and difficult compromises it entails would benefit its citizens the most. As the holder of the EU Council presidency, Slovenia will carry on the steadfast work conducted by Germany and Portugal towards reaching a necessary consensus in the EU for convening the first international conference and opening accession negotiations between the EU and North Macedonia. Slovenia is counting on the responsible and committed cooperation of both North Macedonia and EU member states and institutions in this regard.