Skopje, 22 June 2022 (MIA) – Parliamentary cooperation between North Macedonia and Italy, as well as the strong Italian support since independence and throughout the key stages of Euro-Atlantic integrations were discussed at the meeting between Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi and President of the Italian Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati in Rome on Wednesday. Interlocutors highlighted the advantages of parliamentary diplomacy on a bilateral and multilateral plan which will contribute to a joint approach of the countries in surpassing challenges imposed by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, because these consequences are reflected in every country, so not only do we need the European countries to work together, we also need the big powers to work together, the Speaker's Office said in a press release. At the meeting, Casellati welcomed the continuous, dynamic cooperation between both countries, maintained by visits of high state delegations from either country. Italy has been a good friend to North Macedonia, which has shown unconditional support for this country’s NATO membership. With it, North Macedonia contributes to the stability of the entire region of the Western Balkans, and with the new military conflict in the heart of Europe, this achieved goal gains strong strategic importance. At the same time, in the context of European integration, she expressed clear confidence that the upcoming meeting of the European Council will result in a step forward in terms of the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to the EU, which Italy has continuously supported. Xhaferi referred to the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, which open a new dynamic agenda aimed towards creating opportunities for intensive parliamentary cooperation with the signing of the Protocol on Parliamentary Cooperation between the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia and the House of Representatives of the Italian Republic. He underlined the role of Italy as an important political and economic partner of the Republic of North Macedonia, and especially the strong Italian support, both during the period of independence and in all key phases of our Euro-Atlantic integration. Xhaferi agreed with Casellati that the war now raging in the heart of Europe, which no one expected after the fall of the Berlin Wall, would have far-reaching consequences for the global security architecture. All these challenges further impose the need for full European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia, but also the other countries of the Western Balkans, and it is an issue that the EU should take very seriously. Any delay in the enlargement process will mean further deterioration of the situation, which will be reflected economically, energetically, as well as politically,” reads the press release. Xhaferi expressed his gratitude about the way the 100,000-strong Macedonian diaspora in Italy is treated. He pointed out that there is a need of faster completion of the procedures in both houses of the Italian Parliament with regards to the Social Cooperation Agreement, signed back in 2015. He invited President Casellati to visit North Macedonia, in context of the upcoming 30-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.