North Macedonia and Kosovo mark 13th anniversary of diplomatic ties
Skopje, 16 October 2022 (MIA) – The 13th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Macedonia and Kosovo was marked by planting 13 trees in the Chair Park on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani highlighted that the 13 fruitful years are characterized by 53 mutual agreements, intensive high-level political communication, good communication between businesses and good communication and closeness between people on both sides of the border. According to Osmani, a positive trend is observed in trade with Kosovo. “To us, Kosovo is the best market for export, but it’s important that trends show an increase in the volume of trade. This year alone we have somewhere up to 45 percent increase in trade. The Republic of North Macedonia continues to support the Republic of Kosovo in establishing itself in the international community, that's why a few days ago we called for an immediate decision to liberalize the visa regime with the Republic of Kosovo. As a NATO member, we have a special responsibility here in the region, to promote stability in the region and hence, we also support the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, with the hope that a comprehensive solution will be found based on the principle of mutual recognition between the two countries in order for all six countries from the Western Balkans to continue on the path to membership in the European Union and NATO. Infrastructural connectivity is particularly important,” he said. Kosovo Ambassador to North Macedonia, Florian Qehaja, pointed out that during the 13 years of diplomatic relations the cooperation between the two countries was at an excellent level, adding that it should continue to be strengthened. On an economic level, he said, from the perspective of Kosovo, last year there was a commercial increase in exports by 100 percent. Also, from a political point of view, Qehaja stressed, cooperation with Skopje and with all political stakeholders is excelling, expressing hope that relations will continue to progress, particularly the infrastructure connection. “We hope that the remaining part of the Blace-Skopje highway will be completed as soon as possible. We believe that in the coming months there is room to reach an agreement on the border crossing "One Stop Shop" in Blace and other border crossings, because it helps a lot in the communication between the people and the countries,” said Qehaja. In addition, Osmani said the Open Balkan initiative creates a culture of cooperation in the region. “Next week I’m traveling to Berlin where a Berlin Process ministerial will be held, and I expect and hope that the four important agreements regarding the creation of common regional market will be signed. The Berlin Process is an umbrella regional initiative, an inclusive one. Open Balkan is one of the seventy initiatives in the region that have the same goal, which is the liberalization of the movement of people, capital, services, the creation of a common regional security,” said Osmani. Osmani said the problem of Open Balkan at the moment is that not all six countries are participating, and he believes that the views of the three countries that are not participating are legitimate. “Our obligation as members of Open Balkan is to try to convince them, but above all to show through results that we are an added value, and if we don't show results, why would anyone join. If it proves to be an added value and if we show results – of course they will join us. If there are no results and if damage is shown, we will neither participate,” Osmani said.
