Last week, the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje had the pleasure to welcome a group of interns from the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) of the European Commission.

The aim of this visit was to learn firsthand about the work and main priorities of the Council of Europe in North Macedonia and wider in the region. During their discussion, they were introduced to various initiatives implemented by the Council of Europe Office in Skopje, and which play a crucial role in promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

The young professionals had the chance to gain insights into how the Council of Europe, together with the European Union, assists North Macedonia and the region in fulfilling the highest standards across key areas such as justice, anti-discrimination, education, and anti-corruption. In this context a special focus was given to the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

During the meeting the importance of continued co-operation between the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and local stakeholders was underlined, highlighting the impact of joint efforts on improving governance and the lives of citizens in North Macedonia and the region.

The interns expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and informative discussions, as well as for the opportunity to engage with professionals dedicated to regional development and European integration.

This visit reflects the ongoing commitment to fostering exchange, learning, and collaboration between European institutions and local partners working towards shared values and sustainable progress.