Skopje, 21 October 2021 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski has received the letters of credentials of the new ambassadors of Spain and South Korea to North Macedonia on Thursday. At a ceremony receiving the credentials of the Spanish Ambassador Jose Luis Lozano Garcia, Pendarovski said that Spain and North Macedonia are connected with a traditional, genuine friendship, his office said in a press release. Pendarovski also mentioned that Spain is an important ally and partner to North Macedonia. “We’re facing a time of mutual defining and coordinating of activities, keeping in mind our OSCE presidency in 2023 and Spain’s EU Council presidency in the second half of 2023,” said President Pendarovski. He also added that North Macedonia appreciate Spain’s involvement in critical moments of the country's history, pointing out the efforts by the Spanish Parliament to ratify the country’s NATO Accession Protocol during a political and healthcare crisis. “Spain has our gratitude for the support it’s shown us thus far in regards to the beginning of North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations. I believe that the current blockade set by a current Union member benefits no one, and I am convinced that the start of the negotiations will not only contribute to further stabilize the Western Balkans, but also that it’ll enable a quicker, more effective implementation of necessary reforms for us, especially when it comes to fighting organized crime and high corruption,” President Pendarovski said. Ambassador Garcia said that both countries strengthened and enriched their mutual relations as NATO partners, adding that Spain and North Macedonia belong to the same European family. “Our common strength as NATO partners gives us a platform for us to strengthen our friendship, as well as an impulse to make our mutual membership in the EU a reality as soon as possible. Spain will do all it can to see this come to fruition,” the Ambassador said. Receiving the credentials of Lee Ho-shik, South Korea's newly appointed ambassador based in Sofia, President Pendarovski said that there have been numerous opportunities to enrich the collaboration between the two countries after establishing diplomatic relations in 2019, as well as a mutual understanding of the wealthy historical and cultural heritage of both peoples. “Our mutual values of multilateralism, honoring human rights, preserving the environment and democracy with a strong focus on integral human development are the foundation for the building of our relations,” President Pendarovski said. The interlocutors expressed an interest in promoting bilateral collaboration in the spheres of economy, agriculture, culture, education and sports. President Pendarovski wished both new ambassadors success in their work, according to the press release. dk/ba/