Skopje, 10 September 2024 (MIA) - We are working, and we will work for North Macedonia to be an effective member of the European Union as soon as possible, said Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani at a joint press conference Tuesday with Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski in Skopje.

Tajani said his visit isn’t just formal, but represents a clear message about Italy’s investment in the acceleration of the EU accession of Western Balkan countries.

“With the Minister we will meet once again in New York at the ‘Friends of Western Balkans’ meeting. This is an indicator that Italy believes in the region and firmly supports it... North Macedonia is very important, a friendly country to Italy. We want to increase the presence of Italian entrepreneurs. Before departing, I had the chance to meet entrepreneurs who want to invest in North Macedonia and I told them there are many opportunities for investments and that this Government wants to and will support investors,” Tajani said.

Tajani also emphasized North Macedonia’s presence in the NATO alliance and the mutual economic cooperation, he said a meeting would be held on making use of the potentials of Corridor VIII.

“We expect to organize a meeting on Corridor VIII. We will see if we can open a discussion with North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania by the end of the year to accelerate economic development and the development of the internal market,” Tajani said.

Minister Mucunski assessed the meeting as especially important, stressing that this is the first visit of a European Foreign Minister since he became FM, which, he said, only affirms and further enhances the 30-year-long cooperation between the two countries. At the meeting, Mucunski said he highlighted the importance of predictability on the path to European integrations, and that he received assurances over Italy’s support on the country’s path to the EU.

“Italy is and remains one of the biggest supporters of our strategic and foreign policy goals, especially when it comes to full-fledged membership into the European Union. I received assurances from my counterpart that this support will continue in the future. I stressed that we continue to be firmly committed to reforms, good neighborly relations and regional cooperation,” Mucunski said. 

Photo: MIA