Poland backs NATO, EU aspirations of North Macedonia: Polish president

WARSAW - Poland supports the NATO and EU aspirations of North Macedonia, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Tuesday following a meeting with North Macedonia's president here.

Duda said at a joint press conference that the visit of President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski took place at a very important time for the country.

"This is the time when North Macedonia is already, one can say, on the verge of joining NATO, which we expect not even in the next couple of months, but in the coming weeks," the Polish president was quoted as saying by Polish Press Agency.

"This is also the time when North Macedonia is applying to start accession negotiations with the European Union," he added.

Duda also said that during the meeting with Pendarovski, he had assured him of Poland's support of his country's aspirations, and it is especially important after Britain has left the bloc.

The last NATO member that needs to ratify the accession is Spain. Pendarovski said during his Warsaw visit that he expected Madrid will be ready to do so next month.