ISTANBUL 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated on Friday that North Macedonia belongs in the EU during her tour of the Balkan countries.

As part of her tour, Kallas held meetings in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, and met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

Speaking at a joint news conference following their meeting, Kallas emphasized that the EU stands by North Macedonia on its path to EU membership.

"It belongs in our European family. Now it's essential to proceed on the EU path," she said.

"North Macedonia was the first in the region to sign security and defence partnership with the EU — and the first to benefit from our Growth Plan for the Western Balkans," she added.

For his part, Mickoski highlighted the significance of Kallas’s visit to Skopje, saying: "This is an important message that the EU has not forgotten this region."

Stressing that they expect a clearer message and stronger support from the EU, Mickoski said: "We belong in the EU because we have spent decades building a democratic society and establishing good relations with our neighbors."

During her stay in Skopje, Kallas will also meet with Foreign and Foreign Trade Minister Timco Mucunski. Kallas and Mucunski will participate in an event at the Foreign Ministry to launch a security and defense dialogue between the EU and North Macedonia.

Kallas is also scheduled to meet North Macedonia’s Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski and visit the headquarters of the Balkan Medical Task Force in Skopje.

Kallas previously visited Serbia and Kosovo.