Skopje, 15 October 2025 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi met Tuesday with the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, who is on an official visit to the country, Parliament said in a press release.

According to Parliament, Gashi and Pellegrini affirmed the excellent bilateral cooperation and expressed readiness to further enhance it at all levelts.

Speaker Gashi welcomed President Pellegrini and noted that the continuity of political dialogue and Slovakia’s longstanding support within the European Union and NATO represent a significant encouragement for North Macedonia on its European path.

He expressed gratitude for Slovakia’s consistent and principled support for North Macedonia’s European integration, as well as for its active role within the Visegrád Group, which is among the most vocal supporters of the EU’s enlargement policy.

President Gashi welcomed Slovakia’s initiative to promote economic resocialization in the Western Balkans region, as well as the signing of a new Memorandum of Economic Cooperation between the ministries of the two countries, which is expected to create new opportunities for increased trade exchange and investment.

Parliament said the meeting also highlighted the importance of the Parliamentary Institute of the Parliament of North Macedonia, which cooperates with similar institutions in Bratislava, and the Slovak Parliamentary Institute plays an important mentoring role in its institutional strengthening process.

President Pellegrini reaffirmed Slovakia’s support for North Macedonia, stressing that he considers the country a sincere and friendly partner. He stressed that Slovakia remains a strong supporter of North Macedonia’s European path and, as an investor in the country, will continue to contribute to its institutional and economic development. Pellegrini added that such relations will undoubtedly deepen across all areas of cooperation in the years to come.

Gashi and Pellegrini agreed that parliamentary diplomacy is a vital component in fostering friendly relations between the two countries and that there is room to deepen cooperation in culture, education, and the economy.

Photo: Parliament