Skopje, 25 March 2024 (MIA) – Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi held a meeting Monday with the Italian Ambassador to North Macedonia, Andrea Silvestri, during which they highlighted the great and sincere friendship fostered during the 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, said the Government in a press release Monday.

Xhaferi and Silvestri noted that North Macedonia and Italy have highly developed bilateral relations and are reliable partners in NATO. The Italian Republic, said the press release, is a firm supporter of the Republic of North Macedonia in all democratic and reform processes. The significant role of the Italian Republic in the Euro-integrations of the Western Balkans and specifically North Macedonia was highlighted at the meeting.

In addition to the political, defense and cultural relations, interlocutors highlighted the upward trend in economic relations, with Italy being among the ten largest trade and investment partners of North Macedonia, the press release said.

According to the Government, Xhaferi also expressed gratitude over the monograph published on the occasion of the 30th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Macedonia and Italy, assessing it as a valuable testament for future generations, marking the deep and productive friendship between the countries in the region and in a European context.

At the meeting, Xhaferi and Silvestri also discussed the coming double elections in North Macedonia. They assessed the presidential and parliamentary elections as extremely significant due to the need to reaffirm North Macedonia’s European orientation, as well as important for the quality of life of the citizens in the country, the stability of the Western Balkans and with it, of Europe.

Photo: Government