Skopje, 1 December 2021 (MIA) – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Alternativa leader Afrim Gashi noted evident progress following their meeting for alignment of positions regarding the Government’s programme, exchanging ideas and views on sharing responsibility in institutions within the executive, the Government said after a three-hour meeting between Zaev and Gashi on Wednesday. Discussions will continue in the spirit of the country’s European agenda and the need to send clear messages to citizens and the EU over North Macedonia’s commitment to Europeanization, enhancement of the economic standard and quality of life, the Government said in a press release. Parties will hold consultations within their ranks by the end of the week towards ensuring the required harmonization, with the aim of reaching an agreement over a possible Government coalition committed to the pandemic challenges and the global energy crisis, a cabinet that invests continued efforts for achievement of North Macedonia’s strategic objectives. Gashi briefly told reporters after the meeting there is progress and party consultations will follow. PM Zaev was accompanied by Deputy-Finance Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, while Alternativa leader Gashi by the party’s secretary-general Bekim Sali. In a press release after their meeting a couple of days ago, the government said Zaev and Gashi reached an agreement over the program aspect of possible future cooperation expressed through Alterantiva’s political and executive participation in the government. Monday’s meeting was their second having met the first time on November 19. Last week, the Alternativa central presidency authorized Gashi to engage in talks with all political stakeholders, the PM and the possible new PM-designate regarding their concept for a way out of the political crisis. In addition, the SDSM central board verified Zaev’s resignation from the president’s post and authorized him to conduct the negotiations over the parliamentary majority.