Skopje, 1 August 2023 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski received Tuesday the credentials of the newly appointed Austrian Ambassador to North Macedonia, Martin Pammer.

At the ceremony of presenting the credentials, President Pendarovski said that the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Austria have been building friendly and partnership relations for three decades, and they continuously develop bilateral relations and cooperation in many areas of mutual interest, Pendarovski’s Office said in a press release.

“President expressed his satisfaction with the strong and unequivocal support of Austria in the context of our most important foreign policy priority, to become an EU member state, for the support in the current EU screening process, as well as for the steps we take to fulfil the obligations undertaken. Underscoring that the Republic of Austria is one of the most important economic and trade partners, as well as the first foreign investor in our country, President Pendarovski said that the presence of numerous Austrian companies on the market of North Macedonia and frequent business contacts, as well as the activities of the Trade Office at the Austrian Embassy in Skopje further contribute to bringing our countries and peoples closer together,” reads the press release.

In his address, the President also expressed satisfaction with the Austria’s support to North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairpersonship, which, “occurs during a period of very complex geopolitical landscape and security risks for the wider region, at the time of Russian military aggression against sovereign Ukraine.”

President Pendarovski expressed hope that in the coming period we would witness an active and fruitful agenda aimed at developing mutual relations in all spheres of bilateral cooperation.

“The newly appointed Ambassador of Austria, Martin Pammer, in his address referred to the numerous high-level bilateral visits over the past years as a clear expression of the excellent and cordial relations between the two countries in many areas, as well as a confirmation of common values and strategic interests. Ambassador Pammer said that Austria was and remains firmly committed to strongly support North Macedonia on its EU path full of challenges and voiced hopes that next necessary steps will be successfully achieved, like all others before.

Austrian Ambassador that since independence, and especially in the last few years, North Macedonia has made many important compromises, referring to the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the Friendship Treaty with Bulgaria and the Prespa Agreement with Greece. He noted Austria is aware of these bold steps and expressed confidence that all political stakeholders in the country will continue to maintain this culture of compromise,” Pendarovski’s Office said.

Ambassador Pammer noted that our young people deserve to become part of the European Union and experience the benefits and potential that it offers and added that the expansion and rapid accession of North Macedonia to the European Union is of common interest.

“The Austrian Ambassador underscored the close economic relations between the two countries and emphasized the excellent position of Austrian companies in North Macedonia. President Pendarovski wished the newly appointed Ambassador success in the performance of the responsible diplomatic duty,” reads the press release.

Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia