Skopje, 29 March 2023 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Wednesday with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, referring to the excellent bilateral relations, intensive parliamentary cooperation and strong trade that places Austria as top investor in North Macedonia.

Speaker Xhaferi briefed President Van der Bellen on the current political developments and the country's Euro-integration process, upcoming activities in the screening process, challenges related to the process of constitutional changes, as well as the country's foreign-policy priorities as NATO member and EU aspirant-country, the Parliament said in a press release.

Xhaferi said the OSCE Chairmanship and the parliamentary dimension of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) are North Macedonia's key international activities that will contribute to the strengthening of its perception as a credible partner and a country which priorities are regional cooperation and security, solidarity with the Ukrainian people, following of EU's security policies and alignment with Union and NATO policies regarding the war in Ukraine.

The Speaker saluted the excellent economic cooperation between the two countries and the dynamic cooperation between the two parliaments through cooperation groups, committees and other parliamentary projects, while voicing expectation for further multilateral and bilateral support from Austria.

President Van der Bellen highlighted that North Macedonia's OSCE Chairmanship is held in high regard, thanking for the engagement amid exceptionally difficult times for the organization.

Van der Bellen reaffirmed Austria's firm support to the Euro-integration path of the Western Balkans, adding that North Macedonia's place in the EU is well deserved. Therefore, Austria believes that current security challenges should not be given priority over the enlargement with North Macedonia and other aspirant-countries in the region.

On economic cooperation, the Austrian President said his country has never been interested in making fast profit but in long-term investments that ensure permanent values and top spot among investors.

Interlocutors exchanged opinions on further enhancement of cooperation between the countries' parliaments as an important element of the comprehensive bilateral cooperation, but also in multilateral terms, reads the press release.