2 July 2025, Skopje, North Macedonia

On the sidelines of the Western Balkans Leaders’ Growth Summit, Director Handjiska-Trendafilova held a productive exchange with North Macedonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timčo Mucunski, to update him on the results of ReSPA’s work and discuss opportunities for deepening collaboration in advancing governance reforms and enhancing regional cooperation.

During the meeting, the Director briefed Minister Mucunski on ReSPA’s current strategic priorities, with a strong focus on closer cooperation with EU Member States and intensified regional exchange. She also highlighted ReSPA’s upcoming activities, including strategic partnerships with EU Member States, hosting the next meeting of the Network of Directors of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration (DISPA), advancing support to EU neighbourhood countries, and offering agile on-demand instruments to administrations.

Minister Mucunski emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and ReSPA’s significant role in this context. This high-level exchange reinforces ReSPA’s ongoing mission to foster effective, inclusive, and modern public administration systems across the Western Balkans, grounded in shared values and a common European future.