Skopje, 26 April 2023 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Wednesday with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, who is paying a two-day official visit to North Macedonia. The Parliament's Vice-President Goran Misovski and Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Cooperation with Kosovo's Parliament, Afrim Gashi, also attended the meeting.

Xhaferi extended congratulations on Kosovo's visa liberalization with the EU, noting that the decision is essential for the integration of Kosovo in the Union. He expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations between North Macedonia and Kosovo in all areas and the great intensity of mutual meetings at a high political level.

Friendly relations, the Parliament said in a press release, are reflected in the fruitful and frequent cooperation of the Parliaments of the two countries and between the two Speakers, the commissions and groups on friendship and cooperation.

The Parliament Speaker stressed that the country supports Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and is ready to share acquired knowledge and experience in that regard. Noting that both countries are active participants in the Berlin Process, he mentioned that the Parliament ratified the three agreements on mutual recognition of identity cards, university degrees and professional qualifications between the countries in the region.

Xhaferi welcomed the agreement reached on accepting the EU's proposal for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, pointing out that as OSCE Chair, the country is ready to help in the implementation of certain parts of the agreement. He noted that as of July 1, 2023, the country will take over the presidency of the South-East European Cooperation Process, where all the countries in the region participate on an equal basis.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu said the country represents an example and a model for other countries in the region, particularly in terms of interethnic relations. She expressed satisfaction that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, there are no open issues between the two countries and fruitful cooperation is achieved in many areas.

In addition, reads the press release, she committed to deepening mutual cooperation in education, culture, health, foreign policy and defense.

Osmani-Sadriu thanked for North Macedonia's continued support to Kosovo's membership in the international organizations, pointing out that support from the Macedonian MPs will be of great importance for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe. She asked for support from Speaker Xhaferi, adds the press release, for the participation of Kosovo in the Crimean Platform.

"The President of Kosovo thanked for the hospitality shown in Ohrid, for the meeting on the Annex to the agreement on normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and noted that Serbia has violated this agreement by opposing to Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe," the press release reads. 

Xhaferi and Osmani-Sadriu also discussed the economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as the need to complete infrastructural connection and improve the capacities of the border crossings by introducing the concept of joint controls, which will further facilitate communication between citizens and the business community from both countries.

Xhaferi and Osmani-Sadriu exchanged views on current developments in the two countries and committed to sooner implementation of the agreements reached at the joint session of the governments of North Macedonia and Kosovo. 

Participants in the meeting voiced hope that President Osmani-Sadriu's official meeting will contribute to further promote the overall bilateral relations. 

Photo: Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia