Skopje, 3 December 2024 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi and a parliamentary delegation including Dafina Stojanoska, Bekim Sali, and Mitko Trajchuleski were welcomed with the highest state honors in Stockholm on Tuesday by the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag), Andreas Norlén, at whose invitation the official visit is taking place on December 2 and 3, the Parliament said in a press release. 

Speaker Gashi and the MPs were briefed on the history and work of the Riksdag, followed by a meeting with the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Norlén, and members of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and EU Affairs.

"Speaker Gashi expressed gratitude to his host, as a high representative of a friendly country that provides ongoing support for the democratic and economic development of North Macedonia through numerous development projects, highlighting in particular the support for the country's strategic goal - full-fledged European Union membership," reads the press release. 

Gashi welcomed the establishment of a cooperation group with the Republic of North Macedonia in the Swedish Parliament, as continuation of the cooperation on democratic development between the two legislative houses, which took place from 2020 to 2024 and was jointly assessed as very successful. He expressed confidence that the two cooperation groups will be a good basis to jointly and proactively encourage parliamentary exchange and new forms of cooperation at all levels.

"Speaker Norlén pointed out that the excellent bilateral relations are now further strengthened through the NATO alliance, expressing gratitude for the Parliament's swift ratification of Sweden's accession to the Alliance," the press release reads. 

The members of the two delegations exchanged views and opinions on the challenges of the Republic of North Macedonia in terms of European Union membership, as well as in terms of the broader impact that Russian aggression against Ukraine has on the European continent.

"Interlocutors agreed that there is room for the two countries to promote trade and investment, that emigrants from the Republic of North Macedonia play an important role in promoting bilateral relations, and that these visits are very useful for first-hand acquaintance with developments in both countries," adds the press release.

Photo: Parliament