Skopje, 6 April 2023 (MIA) — President Stevo Pendarovski received Thursday the credentials of the newly appointed German Ambassador to North Macedonia, Petra Drexler, welcoming her to the country and wishing her success in her post.

According to an official press release, President Pendarovski said Germany and North Macedonia were connected by sincere friendship based on cooperation, mutual respect, and openness.

"As a result of our joint efforts, our country considers the Federal Republic of Germany a great friend and sincere ally in the process of achieving our strategic priorities," the President said. 

"One of those strategic priorities, full NATO membership, we have already achieved. Our two countries are allies and contribute to NATO's key mission of guaranteeing Euro-Atlantic security amid difficult geopolitical circumstances," he said.

Pendarovski pointed out the importance of Germany's unwavering support to North Macedonia on its way to European Union membership.

"I had the pleasure of welcoming Federal President Frank Walter-Steinmeier to Skopje and personally introducing him to my country, while assuring him we are investing all our capacities in meeting EU membership requirements," he told Ambassador Drexler.

"At the same time," President Pendarovski said, "we expect from the Union to be just as committed to the integration of North Macedonia and other regional states, which is a key condition for fully achieving the European project idea."

At the presenting-of-credentials ceremony, Ambassador Drexler said bilateral relations were excellent and extended far beyond cooperation at the level of governments. She said there was cooperation also between the two countries' many political foundations, cultural organizations, and chambers of commerce and industry. This, she noted, showed the engagement of the German economy in North Macedonia, reflecting Germany's position as the country's most important trade partner.

"The visits of the Federal President, the Federal Chancellor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs over the past months are clear signs we stand with your country," Ambassador Drexler said, adding that the German government would continue supporting North Macedonia on its EU accession path.

"Let me assure you I will invest all my energy into this task during my term in office," she said. 

Ambassador Drexler also said Germany was aware of how the compromises required of the country to continue on the EU path, including the need to make constitutional changes, were painful for many people in North Macedonia. She congratulated the country on its consistency on the way to the EU and for this, on behalf of Germany, expressed deep respect. mr/