Skopje, 11 January 2022 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi and Albanian President Ilir Meta agreed at a meeting on Tuesday that bilateral relations are excellent and there is mutual interest for their further enhancement. Xhaferi and Meta concluded that countries are tied by sincere friendship and cooperation, which are expected to strengthen because they both share the same objectives and interests – full-fledged EU membership, security cooperation within NATO and enhancement of regional cooperation, the Parliament said in a press release. Xhaferi congratulated Meta on Albania’s two-year term as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council as of January 1. The Speaker noted that North Macedonia remains fully committed to European integration efforts and regional cooperation, saying the efficient use of EU funds, joint participation in new IPA 2 projects and enhancement of economic cooperation are priorities of mutual interest. President Meta said North Macedonia has consolidated democratic processes and meets all criteria for the start of the EU accession negotiations, expressing hope for sooner overcoming of the Bulgaria impasse. Interlocutors agreed over the need for increased bilateral cooperation and support, primarily due to the energy and economic crisis expected over the course of 2022, reads the press release.