Skopje, 18 January 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Tuesday with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. Speaker Xhaferi expressed satisfaction with Tuesday’s meeting which is among the first ones in the foreign policy agenda of the Bulgarian PM, thus demonstrating openness and readiness to introduce new and fresh trends in the politics towards neighboring countries. “He highlighted the efforts of the Republic of North Macedonia to build good neighborly relations and regional cooperation with all countries in the region and beyond, pointing out that improving bilateral relations with the Republic of Bulgaria is of vital importance for our country. Speaker Xhaferi voiced confidence that the signing of the Friendship Treaty between the two countries in 2017 is a significant step forward in the history of the relations between the two countries, thus reaffirming the commitment to mutual respect and understanding. Xhaferi added that it is a solid basis for promoting the cooperation between the two countries, expressing expectation that cooperation in future will further strengthen,” the Parliament said in a press release. As regards parliamentary cooperation, Speaker Xhaferi pointed out it is necessary to continue and intensify such cooperation through more communication both at the highest level and at the level of parliamentary working bodies and parliamentary groups for cooperation. “In future, more attention needs to be paid in the interest of better infrastructural connection between the two countries trough Corridor 8, particularly road, railway, energy and digital connection, which will allow for promoting the business cooperation between the two countries, as well as greater movement of goods services and people which has huge potential. Corridor 8 will connect the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, thus going beyond the regional context and enabling greater regional influence at global level,” reads the press release. Regarding the start of European Union accession negotiations, i.e. holding the first intergovernmental conference, Parliament Speaker Xhaferi stressed it is extremely important for the country, adding that according to him North Macedonia’s membership will be in the interest of all countries in the Balkan region, particularly Bulgaria. PM Petkov voiced great satisfaction with the visit and all meetings and talks held on Tuesday. He pointed out that government working groups have already been agreed and expected to meet at least once a month. Petkov expects Skopje – Sofia airline to be set up soon, enabling better communication between the citizens of the two countries. “He pointed out that about 65 million people live in the Balkan region, and under different circumstances without barriers, with good neighborly relations, business relations would improve and a better image of the entire region would be created worldwide. Petkov supported the initiative to boost parliamentary cooperation, adding that visits at the highest parliamentary level should take place as soon as possible. The Republic of Bulgaria will truly be part of the European Union when the rest of the countries in the region also join the EU, and only then will all the benefits of EU membership be felt,” the press release reads. Xhaferi and Petkov agreed that even greater mutual cooperation and support is needed in the future in order to promote the region and improve the living standard of citizens.