Kovachevski - Čaputová: Slovakia’s support to North Macedonia reaffirmed
Skopje, 7 September 2022 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, alongside First Deputy PM and Minister of Political System and Inter-Community Relations Artan Grubi, met Wednesday with the President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová, alongside Slovak delegation and Slovak Ambassador to North Macedonia Henrik Markuš.
Participants in the meeting reaffirmed friendly and close ties between the two countries, expressing commitment to further promoting them, the government said in a press release.
“Talks highlighted Slovakia’s open support to the European perspectives of the Western Balkans, voicing strong support for North Macedonia’s negotiation process and integration in the European Union,” reads the press release.
PM Kovachevski extended gratitude for the significant friendship with Slovakia and the contribution in achieving strategic Euro-Atlantic goals, reform processes, as well as that in important times for the citizens, such as healthcare assistance during the pandemic.
“He said that the government, as well as governments of the countries in Europe and the world, is committed to dealing with the effects of the war in Ukraine, with North Macedonia positioning itself hundred percent in line with the EU’s foreign policy. Also, the state develops good neighborly relations and the institutions are committed to efficient dynamic in the realization of the screening process, which is also the plan for the negotiation process, thus the goal of membership in the European Union by 2030 is real and achievable,” the press release adds.
Interlocutors stressed the importance of having all political entities focus on state interests.
“PM Kovachevski and Deputy PM Grubi stressed the importance of the Visegrad Group’s support and the shared experience in the process of North Macedonia’s integration in NATO, which is also considered significant in the process for the EU,” the government noted.
Participants in the meeting expressed the countries’ mutual willingness to promote bilateral relations in economy and as NATO partners, in dealing with all current challenges.
In addition, interlocutors paid particular attention to the global energy situation, which reflects on the countries, discussing about new possibilities for energy connection, and agreed on a need for close cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries over potential solutions.
