SKOPJE – Albanians in Macedonia are an important factor in Macedonia’s stability and development and clearly oriented towards the European Union and NATO, the President of the Republic Ilir Meta stated on Monday, adding that Albania’s Macedonian ethnic minority serve as a solid bridge of friendship between the two neighbouring countries.
On his official visit to Macedonia, Albanian President was received by his Macedonian counterpart Gjorge Ivanov.
During the meeting, Meta voiced confidence that a recently adopted law on ethnic minorities in Albania will create room for preservation of its identity in line with the best European standards.
Albanian President praised the close historic and cultural ties, stating that these relations are existential and decisive for the future of the relations between the two countries.
“The only way to cope with the globalism challenges is to closely cooperate at a bilateral and regional level,” the head of state said.
Speaking about the bilateral cooperation, Meta put emphasis on the need for joint development projects on interconnectivity and infrastructure between the two countries, voicing confidence that a joint session of the governments of both countries in Pogradec, Albania, would give a fresh impetus to bilateral relations and identify joint projects under the Berlin Process.
Meta assured Macedonian President Ivanov of Albania’s support for Macedonia’s NATO membership and the importance to the stability and security in the Balkan region.
Later, Meta met with Prime Minister of Macedonia Zoran Zaev.
President’s press service said that during the meting Meta and Macedonian PM Zaev agreed on the need for Albania and Macedonia to promote economic and trade cooperation, improve energy and infrastructure links and implement joint projects part of the Corridor VIII.
President Meta hailed the new Macedonian government concrete commitments to improve the inter-ethnic climate and maintain positive relations with the neighbouring countries.
“Together we can resist and successfully face all globalization challenges to our region,” said President Meta.
Albanians in Macedonia are a significant factor to stability and are clearly oriented to European Union and NATO, stated Meta during the meeting with Talat Xhaferi.
Meta congratulated Xhaferi on his high post as Speaker of Parliament and praised the fact that a remarkable representative of Albanians in Macedonia chairs the Parliament.