Bitola, 28 November 2024 (MIA) – We as the European Union remain strongly committed and give support to the Municipality of Bitola, its mayor, municipal council, and citizens so that they are able to take advantage of the opportunities that come with EU’s Growth and Development Plan, the Government’s reform agenda, said EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, Michalis Rokas on Thursday during his first official visit to Bitola.

According to him, not a single denar or euro will be lost in order to achieve maximum and make the next three years successful for the country and Bitola.

“Cross-border cooperation is of key importance, therefore we must face all challenges. Cross-border cooperation is in the heart of the European integration process and should therefore be encouraged and strengthened between the two countries. Bitola has opportunities to develop tourism and thereby generate huge revenues for its own development. Bitola has many advantages and I believe that next year we will put all the possibilities at our disposal into operation so that citizens will be able to see the results,” said Rokas.

Bitola Mayor Toni Konjanovski asked Ambassador Rokas to help secure a city from northern Greece that would cooperate with Bitola.

“Bitola stands before Europe’s door, 15 km from neighboring Greece. Cross-border cooperation is excellent and in 2025 and 2026 we expect additional support. I informed the Ambassador that the project on a sewage treatment plant and collection system will finally see the light of day, because it has gone through an evaluation phase three times now; but, I believe that construction will begin next year. I asked the Ambassador to help ensure greater cooperation between cities in the region, from the northern part of Greece and with his support we can become cooperation partners with a new city in Greece,” Konjanovski noted.

During his stay in Bitola, Rokas visited the city's House of the Army, home of Bitola Europe House, and met with representatives from the municipal council and academic community. ssh/