Skopje, 16 September 2021 (MIA) – For years our countries have been developing excellent bilateral relations and successful cooperation based on the principles of mutual support and respect. Promoting relations between neighbors brings stability and prosperity for the entire region and that’s why we support the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and a solution acceptable for both sides, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Thursday at a joint press conference with Kosovo counterpart Albin Kurti. Kosovo’s PM Kurti noted that Thursday’s joint session of the government of North Macedonia and Kosovo was a historic moment for bilateral cooperation, adding that the two cabinets discussed the needs of citizens in both countries. The first joint session, Zaev stressed, encourages further developing and intensifying relations and overall cooperation. A total of 11 agreements, memorandums and programs for cross-border projects backed by EU’s IPA program, cooperation in the fields of energy, innovation, technological development, culture and tourism were signed at the joint session. “It’s a clear expression of our political will and both countries’ interest to further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Today was a fruitful day. The results we achieved are in the best interest of citizens in both countries. I believe that in the upcoming period, Ministers and institutions will be committed to implementation of the tasks we assigned them with today, which I expect will encourage future cooperation in other areas,” Zaev told the news briefing. Focus, he added, was put on agreements and memorandums for the infrastructural connectivity of our countries. “These include the agreement on merging the two highways within the Blace border crossing as part of the construction of the Skopje-Blace highway section, as well as an agreement on setting up joint border crossings and an agreement for a joint skiing project,” the PM underlined. Kosovo is one of North Macedonia’s most important trade partners, he stressed. Trade between the two countries is customs-free, in line with CEFTA and the economic cooperation agreement. “Trade produces significant profit for us, making Kosovo one of our key export partners. Total trade exchange between the two countries in 2020 amounted to USD 305.7 million, in Q1 2021 it stood at USD 130.2 million and it’s expected to surpass USD 400 million,” Zaev said. North Macedonia, the PM added is prepared to share with Kosovo its NATO integration experience in the hopes that its neighbor also joins the Alliance in the future. Kosovo’s PM Kurti noted that Thursday’s joint session of the government of North Macedonia and Kosovo was a historic moment for bilateral cooperation. “North Macedonia celebrates this year its 30th independence anniversary and Kosovo its 13th anniversary. This is our governments’ first joint session, aiming to intensify cooperation in multiple areas,” Kurti said, extending his condolences for the victims of the Tetovo modular hospital fire. He added that the governments signed 11 agreements, including for cooperation in the sectors of tourism, entrepreneurship, economy, security, transport, cross-border cooperation, etc. “Ahead of the session, my counterpart and I held a friendly working meeting during which we discussed the needs of our citizens and common ground, based on the best European practices,” Kurti underlined.