Prohor Pchinski, 2 August 2024 (MIA) – The countries have exceptional relations, which are unusually Scandinavian-like in the Balkans, said President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova after a bilateral meeting with her Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in the Prohor Pchinski monastery. The two heads of state praised the relations saying they are confident they will be further developed.

ASNOM, said Siljanovska Davkova, is our second Ilnden, the holiday of all holidays for us, because on this day, the Antifascist Assembly of the National Liberation of Macedonia was created. 

“The relations are unusually Scandinavian-like in the Balkans, because what Denmark, Finland and Sweden had done for Latvia and Estonia, I felt it here, today,” said the President.

Siljanovska Davkova thanked for the opportunity to visit the Prohor Pchinski monastery, where the first session of ASNOM took place 80 years ago. 

“Thank you also for the understanding because it is logical to celebrate where it had happened. Perhaps, it would be best to regulate this by signing an agreement and by doing so, we will set a good example,” stated the President. 

Speaking to members of the media, she said she champions regional cooperation and thanked Serbia for sending assistance to the Macedonian authorities in the firefighting efforts. 

Congratulating Siljanovska Davkova and the citizens on Ilinden, Serbian President Vucic told her to feel at home in Serbia, saying she is always welcome. 

 The two presidents in their bilateral meeting discussed political matters such as the EU integration processes of their countries, the issues they are facing as well as the issues of joint interest of the nations.

“I’m confident that Serbia and North Macedonia will continue to develop their relations with mutual respect and to work on concrete projects. As the president of Serbia, I expressed willingness to build rails to Preshevo and you should build rails 190 km long from Tabanovce to Gevgelija. I believe it will be of huge importance for our two countries,” said Vucic. 

As regards trade, he said it was recorded at 1.75 billion euros saying he was confident it could reach two billion in the next two years. 

Vucic said he expected Siljanovska Davkova will pay an official visit to Belgrade by the end of the year. 

The delegation led by President Siljanovska Davkova also included Parliament Vice President Vesna Bendevska, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Relations Between the Communities, Ivan Stoilkovikj. 

Photo: MIA/President's Office