Belgian-Macedonian Business Club

Ambassador Fréderic Meurice presented the Belgian Presidency of the EU commission to the Diplomatic Corps and gave several interviews to the media.

People are pleasant, friendly and welcoming. There is a lot of Chaleur humaine. Belgians in general are more reserved.

Here are some of his key statements about North Macedonia:

People in North Macedonia are friendly and proud.

Progress of integration is under way. Their frustration with the long EU membership process can be understood. But many obstacles have already been overcome, the change of the constitution remains. The Belgian presidency wants to go forward and have the negotiations started.

Belgium does not want to get involved in bilateral issues. It supports the “French proposal” that shows the way. Additional identity issues that could arise are not part of the French proposal.

On rule of law: there is also a Belgian experience with trial and error. Belgium has learned that with strong Rule of Law, it works better, and you have more happy citizens. In Belgium, corruption also exists, but there are systems that can deal with it.

There are strong human relations between both countries. People from North Macedonia visit or life in Belgium, Belgians coming as tourists to North Macedonia. The Human contacts strengthen the relationship.

The van Hool bus factory is an important investment. It has done a lot to promote North Macedonia to Belgian businesses. Other large investments are in preparation, eg. for the sector of car batteries.

The Belgian-Macedonian Business Club together with the Economic Affairs services of Belgium have the tools to promote and enlarge the business relations between the two countries.

Fréderic Meurice is Belgian Ambassador to North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania.