Gabriel Escobar not to come to Sofia, expects Macedonia-EU talks to begin as soon as possible

 

  In an interview with skopje's 360 degrees tv channel, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Gabriel Escobar said Washington was in constant communication with its European allies to unblock Macedonia's European integration.

  Responding to journalists' interest in going from Sofia to Sofia, he did not rule out the possibility of visiting other parts of Europe at some point, where there are important issues to discuss.

 "I would like to start with the message that Northern Macedonia deserves to be part of the European Union. You are a culturally, historically and, increasingly, economically part of Europe. You have to have a place at the table. In addition, you have completed some good reforms that allow you to start the process. We work closely with our European partners, all our European partners, to ensure that this happens very quickly. We hoped and still hope that you can start intergovernmental conferences this year. If not this year, then next year. So, the answer is - yes, we are in constant communication with all our European partners on this issue, "said Escobar. 

  "After Skopje, I am leaving for Bosnia, where the Peace Implementation Conference will be held. I will then go to Tirana, where I will send signals again of our support for EU membership, and then I will go to London to meet with the new British Special Representative for the Western Balkans, who is calling on the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers to map out how our cooperation in the region will work in the future. All these are examples of positive development in the region. We hope that  Macedonia will be a full partner and help us make progress. "I do not rule out the possibility of visiting other parts of Europe at some point where there are important issues to discuss," Escobar said. 

  "I think we support your every effort to do everything possible to start this process. You have made reforms, you have sent signals that you intend to do everything necessary, and this government has expressed strong support, a strong strategic vision to be a member of the EU, and we continue to support that. " 

  "Our partnership with Northern Macedonia is with its citizens and institutions. Therefore, we hope that the next government, like this one, will be able to maintain a strong pro-NATO commitment and a strong Euro-Atlantic focus. "We hope that every government will have such a commitment, and as long as that is the case, it will have our support," he said.