Skopje, 3 February 2022 (MIA) — Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Thursday with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Czech Republic to North Macedonia Jaroslav Ludva, wishing him success in his diplomatic work and expressing hope that his personal engagement would contribute to the further strengthening of the relations between the two countries. According to an official press release, Xhaferi spoke with Ambasador Ludva about Parliament and its work as well as the latest political developments and challenges of the country. He also expressed his appreciation for the strong support the Czech Republic has given North Macedonia on the path to European integration. He said he hoped this support would be even stronger during the Czech Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022, adding that the cooperation between the two countries should continue through mutual visits at the highest parliamentary level. Xhaferi also thanked the Vishegrad Group for being some of the most vocal supporters of the Western Balkan countries’ joining the European Union and for highlighting that bilateral issues should not be an obstacle to accelerating negotiations with the EU candidate countries from the Western Balkans. The Czech Republic has always pointed out that the strengthening of pre-accession partnerships will lead to better infrastructural connections between the European Union and the Western Balkans as well as good governance as a principle, the release says. Ambassador Ludva said he was familiar with the political situation in the region and that he was looking forward to continuing his diplomatic career in our country. He said the Czech Republic would remain a strong supporter of North Macedonia's European integration and expected to speed up the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU during the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU. At the end of the meeting, both stressed that bilateral relations were at a high level and the countries had a mutual interest to promote economic cooperation. mr/