Skopje, 17 February 2024 (MIA) – The caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi met with Lord Stuart Peach, the United Kingdom's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, on Saturday in Munich.

During the meeting, Lord Peach extended congratulations to Xhaferi on assuming office as Prime Minister and for the election of the new government. They jointly underscored the significance of the upcoming elections, emphasizing their role in ensuring fair and democratic processes and shaping the country's Euro-Atlantic prospects, the government said in a press release.

In this regard, the strong commitment of Prime Minister Xhaferi and the Government to conduct elections in accordance with the highest European standards was welcomed, especially since the upcoming elections in North Macedonia will not only determine the government that the citizens will receive but also the country's future direction.

At the meeting, it was assessed that the clear EU perspective is the main driver of reconciliation and progress in the entire region, as the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, besides being a political, security, and economic interest of the region and the Union, is also a geostrategic investment in the stability of the European continent.

They also exchanged views regarding the current developments in the Western Balkans, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the relations between Serbia and Kosovo, reads the press release.

Interlocutors agreed that the region is vulnerable to the dissemination of misinformation narratives, highlighting the imperative for serious and vigilant efforts to counter attempts to influence electoral processes with hybrid disinformation narratives.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Xhaferi underscored the importance of the United Kingdom's enhanced engagement in the Western Balkans in promoting regional security. Additionally, he confirmed that North Macedonia continues to align its foreign policy with EU and NATO policies, contributing to the stability of the region.

They reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the Republic of North Macedonia and the United Kingdom, which is realized through the support to our country for key issues in democratic development and the realization of strategic goals, according to the government's press release.

Photo: Government