The European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell told North Macedonia’s new Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani in Brussels on Monday that the EU expects Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s cabinet to meet its commitments and speed up reforms.

“Borrell stated that the EU expects the new government to continue to deliver on the country’s EU commitments, to sustain and accelerate the implementation of EU-related reforms. This concerns in particular rule of law, the fight against organised crime and corruption, as well as further strengthening of good neighborly relations,” a press release said.

The EU High Representative “welcomed North Macedonia’s contributions to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations and the fact that North Macedonia's level of alignment with EU foreign policy positions has increased in recent years,” it added.

Borrell said that the EU remains committed to supporting North Macedonia during the coronavirus pandemic and added that the European Commission will also come forward in October with a very substantial Economic and Investment Plan to support the Western Balkans’ long-term recovery and bring the region closer to the EU.