Skopje, 9 September 2024 (MIA) — Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani will pay an official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia on Tuesday. 

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Tajani will be hosted by his counterpart Timcho Mucunski. Talks between the foreign ministers are expected to focus on bilateral relations, strengthening economic, regional and multilateral cooperation, joint contribution to peace as well as the future of the EU enlargement process and Italy's support of the country on the EU path.

According to a press release from the Embassy of Italy in Skopje, Tajani is also expected to meet with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

"North Macedonia is our key partner in ensuring a prosperous future and stability for the entire Western Balkans. We are working to overcome every obstacle on Skopje's accession path to the European Union. There is great potential for strengthening our bilateral ties," Tajani is quoted as saying in the release, ahead of his Skopje visit.

Tajani's visit to the country, the Italian Embassy points out, is a confirmation of Italy's continued commitment to the development, stability and the EU integration aspirations of the Western Balkans region.

"The Western Balkans are our foreign policy priority we pay constant attention to also at the multilateral level, chairing the 'Friends of the Western Balkans' group, which I will convene again in New York in a few days," Tajani said. mr/