IUnder-Secretary Della Vedova chairs 11th EU – FYROM Association Council

Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sen. Benedetto Della Vedova chaired the 11th European Union-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Association Council in the place of High Representative Catherine Ashton. The plenary session, attended also by the representatives of several Member States, was followed by a closed session with Commissioner Fuele, the Council Secretariat and FYROM Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki and Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Fatmir Besimi. The European Union and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia jointly confirmed that the Association and Stabilisation Agreement remains central to relations. Della Vedova pointed out the importance of stable and democratic institutions in achieving the political objectives that underpin the accession process, to which the peaceful co-existence of the country’s various ethnic groups contributes. Finally, the under-secretary noted with satisfaction that the encounter had been frank and constructive, and in the interests of a shared desire to build stability and neighbourhood relations and promote the European integration process.