Skopje, 5 June 2023 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Monday with the members of the Albanian Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, consisting of Chairwoman Jorida Tabaku, and members Eltida Gjonaj, Flutura Açka, Orlando Rakipi, Kreshnik Collaku, and Lavdrim Krash, as well as Parliament’s Committee on European Affairs chairman Arber Ademi.

Xhaferi positively assessed the bilateral relations, with no open questions, and intensive cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He stressed that North Macedonia and Albania are in the screening phase with the European Union and expressed hope that North Macedonia, unlike Albania, has additional requirements which will manage to fulfil by the end of 2023, in order to continue negotiations on the clusters, announced the Parliament press office.

"In terms of regional cooperation, Xhaferi referred to the results of the last Berlin Process Summit and the progress achieved in the free movement of citizens from the six countries of the region, while on the realization of infrastructural projects, he noted that construction of roads, energy, and railway connections with Corridor 8, with the aim of greater exchange of people, goods, and services, is of great importance for the two countries," the press release reads.

Tabaku thanked for the cordial reception, and hailed the meeting between the members of related commissions as very useful.

"Tabaku praised North Macedonia's chairmanship of the largest regional security organization - OSCE, and regarding the agreements signed within the Berlin Process expressed confidence that sooner they are implemented the sooner they will yield benefits to citizens in the region. Regarding the European integration process, she expressed hope that the obstacles will be overcome, and both countries will move to the next phrase of negotiations by the end of the year. For the cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture, education, media, Tabaku said that she expects them to intensify, and hopes that the Corridor 8 will be completed soon," the press release adds.

Interlocutors agreed that good neighborly relations move the region forward, and that there is potential for border municipalities from both countries to work on joint projects to receive EU financial support. ssh/sk/

Photo: Parliament