Interior Minister Poklukar expressed support for North Macedonia on its path to the EU

Ohrid – Slovenian Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar met with his Macedonian counterpart Panče Toškovski in Ohrid on Thursday. After the meeting, Poklukar reiterated that Slovenia continues to support North Macedonia in its efforts to join the European Union. He also advocated for strengthening police cooperation between the two countries, as Slovenia strives to deepen cooperation among the police forces of the Western Balkans in the fight against organized crime and terrorism, and to transfer EU security standards to the Western Balkans.

“We talked a lot about this today, and I must say that we are already working together within NATO in various operations in support of peace, and I believe that we will also work together in the European Union tomorrow,” Poklukar said after the meeting. He added that Slovenia’s support for North Macedonia’s EU accession remains strong and enduring.

The ministers agreed that cooperation between the two countries, including in the area of internal affairs, is at a high level. “In matters related to the European Union and, of course, various agencies, namely Europol and Frontex, I assess that we are cooperating more than well,” emphasized Poklukar.

Poklukar also supported North Macedonia’s initiative to strengthen regional cooperation in the professional development of police officers and police services and to include Slovenia in the regional association of training centers and police academies. “We confirm that we will be a partner in this idea, as international police cooperation is today the foundation of a successful fight against crime and, ultimately, also in managing migration,” he added. (August 28)