Skopje, 18 October 2024 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova received Friday the credentials of the newly appointed Portuguese Ambassador, José Velez Caroço, based in Belgrade.

At the handover ceremony of the credentials, President Siljnanovska Davkova said that this year marks the 30th anniversary since establishing diplomatic relations, and that there are numerous opportunities to further and honestly strengthen cooperation, bilaterally and internationally, especially for intensifying economic ties.

She stressed that continuous support from the Portuguese Republic for the integration of the countries in the region into European structures, including our country, has always been of great importance, which is why it's important to intensify cooperation in the coming period.

"We deserve to start accession negotiations with EU without further delays. I want to reiterate that the Government and I remain fully committed to necessary reforms related to our EU integration. Still, this process must be implemented in accordance with the Copenhagen criteria. If our EU integration process is not freed from bilateral issues, I believe it will set a dangerous precedent for all future candidate countries. Other countries can use bilateral disputes to justify vetoes against country-candidates," Siljanovska Davkova stressed.

Ambassador Caroço pointed out that the mutual values that unite both countries, such as cooperation within NATO for the benefit of Euro-Atlantic security, are of special importance for ensuring freedom and democracy. He said that Portugal fully supports country's EU membership, as well as other that of other Western Balkan countries, adding that the Reform Agenda and Growth Plan are an opportunity that should not be missed.

"These challenging times we are facing globally, the aggressive war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East, including the other damaging, violent or terrifying tragedies worldwide are an imperative to jointly defend justice and peace, with a multilateral perspective, according to the principles of the UN Charter," Caroço noted.

President Siljanovska Davkova wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission. ssh/ba/

Photo: President's press office