Skopje, 7 September 2022 (MIA) – I congratulate you on all the efforts your country has taken to move closer to the EU. Slovakia, which went through this process, will continue to support you. Great effort and political courage are necessary. The improvement of public institutions and services for the citizens is always important and must continue, said the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová at a joint press conference Wednesday in Skopje alongside President Stevo Pendarovski. At the press conference, Čaputová pointed out that at this moment the energy crisis is the biggest issue and it is necessary to find the best and most efficient way to overcome it. At the same time, she underscored that Slovakia will not give up on its ambitions for a “green transition”. Čaputová and Pendarovski said they discussed the intensification of economic cooperation, as well as the deepening of bilateral relations in many areas, including science and culture. “Fortunately, the negotiations were opened a few months ago, and I expect that very soon we shall be together in the EU as well. Slovakia continuously supports your accession efforts and we are ready to share all our experience in that area. We’ve been down that path, however the improvement of public institutions and services for the citizens is important and must continue. There are many things that bring us together, we have great bilateral relations and a common history,” said Čaputová. She especially welcomed North Macedonia’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. President Pendarovski expressed his gratitude for Slovakia’s consistent and explicit support, and called the country a real friend. This visit, said the President, affirms the positive trend in the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries, all the more so as it is realized after the beginning of N. Macedonia’s EU accession process. “At the most difficult moments, Slovakia, like a real friend, supported us in every situation, without any calculations. We sincerely hope for a similar approach, in the future, from all EU member states, following the principled attitude of Slovakia as one of the driving forces of the Visegrad Group,” said Pendarovski. After the press conference, Čaputová and Pendarovski visited the Church of the Ascension of Jesus where they laid wreaths at the grave of Goce Delchev. A reception will be organized for the Slovak President in front of the Government, where Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, his deputies and other government officials will be present. This will be followed by a bilateral meeting between Čaputová and Kovachevski. The President of Slovakia, who is on a two-day official visit to North Macedonia, was received on Wednesday with the highest state and military honors, followed by a meeting with President Pendarovski, and a plenary meeting of the delegations from both countries as well.