On 13-14 December 2023, the Director of Council of Europe Programme Co-ordination Claus Neukirch, paid his first official visit to Skopje to attend notably the Beneficiary Steering Committee meeting of the EU/Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”. The meeting aimed to take stock of the programme’s key achievements as well as future priorities. 

During his visit, Director Neukirch met with representatives of Macedonian authorities as well as international partners. Discussions focused on current and potential future technical co-operation activities advancing the country’s reform agenda. 

He held in particular exchanges with Krenar Lloga, Minister of Justice, Fatmire Isaki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as Drita Abdiu - Halili, State Secretary for European Affairs. Director Neukirch welcomed their commitment to align legislation and practices with Council of Europe standards and EU acquis. They also discussed key challenges around areas such as penitentiary reform, anti-corruption, judicial reform, and anti-discrimination.

With Ambassador David Geer, Head of the EU Delegation to North Macedonia, Claus Neukirch exchanged on the close partnership between the two institutions, including through the ongoing joint programmes such as the third phase of the Horizontal Facility running from 2023-2026. They also discussed perspectives for co-operation to further assist North Macedonia on its European path. 

 Related news : Advancing justice, democracy, and human rights in line with European standards in North Macedonia 

 Co-operation page on Noth Macedonia