Skopje, 27 October 2022 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski received Thursday credentials of the newly-appointed Ambassadors of the Republic of Estonia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to North Macedonia. At the handover ceremony of the credentials of the new Budapest-based Estonian Ambassador, Raul Toomas, President Pendarovski stated that the two countries are connected by a long-term sincere friendship, stressing that the essence of the relations between the two countries is based on the common vision for a free and prosperous Europe, built on the principles of democracy, peace and the rule of law. “In that context, allow me to express my gratitude for the unequivocal and visible Estonian support in the realization of our strategic goals – NATO and EU membership. As a EU member state, your experiences and support during the negotiations process will be of particular importance to us. Therefore, I would like to express my expectation that, with the beginning of North Macedonia’s EU accession talks, we will continue to enhance our cooperation in the field of European integration,” said Pendarovski. Ambassador Toomas expressed Estonia's readiness for further deepening of the dynamic bilateral support between the two countries and finding new opportunities for cooperation. “The opening of the EU accession negotiations was an important step forward for your country. Estonia strongly supports and will continue to support North Macedonia’s EU membership path. We are always ready to share our integration experiences. Estonia is very grateful for North Macedonia’s decision to fully align with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the EU sanctions against Russia,” said Ambassador Toomas. At the handover ceremony of the credentials of the new Rome-based Ethiopian Ambassador, Demitu Hambisa Bonsa, President Pendarovski expressed North Macedonia's interest and readiness to further improve and develop the relations and cooperation with Ethiopia in all fields of mutual interest, both bilaterally and multilaterally. “Despite the geographical distance between our two friendly countries and the different regions, I am firmly convinced that there is a common desire and potential for the development and improvement of mutual relations for the good of our people,” said President Pendarovski. Ambassador Bonsa assessed that Ethiopia and North Macedonia have friendly relations and that both countries share common positions. “The Government of Ethiopia wants to work with the Macedonian Government to strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and to further deepen the relations in the fields of trade, investment and tourism,” said Ambassador Bonsa. President Pendarovski wished the ambassadors success in their diplomatic missions. ad/ik/