Skopje, 13 March 2024 (MIA) — Caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi met Wednesday with Velimir Šljivančanin, Montenegro's Acting Ambassador/Chargé d'affaires, according to an official press release.

At their meeting, Xhaferi and Šljivančanin confirmed the traditional friendship between the two countries and excellent bilateral relations based on longterm constructive cooperation and without any open issues, the release said.

They both highlighted that North Macedonia and Montenegro were an example of how to build and develop good neighborly relations. They also stressed that being allies within NATO, especially in the current geopolitical context, was of great importance for the region and the entirety of Europe.

"They also exchanged experiences regarding the benefits of NATO membership as well as regarding the reform processes necessary for the European integration process," the release said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Xhaferi pointed out that North Macedonia was a successful multi-ethnic democracy, a model for Europe in miniature, according to the release. 

Xhaferi also expressed his expectation that in the near future the Montenegrin ethnic community in North Macedonia would be included in the Constitution, an amendment that will make it possible for the state to open the first cluster in the negotiation process with the EU.

The meeting also considered ways of boosting economic cooperation and trade. Also discussed was the holding of a joint inter-governmental meeting of the two countries, immediately after North Macedonia's elections. 

Šljivančanin congratulated Xhaferi on his new post and thanked him for the Government's commitment to continuing the process of constitutional change that will have the Montenegrin community become an integral part of the Constitution. 

At the same time, he said this was important not only for Montenegro and for the countries' bilateral relations but also for removing obstacles from North Macedonia's path to the EU. mr/