Kovachevski – Mattarella: Great support from Italy for North Macedonia’s further process of European integration
Skopje, 9 September 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met Friday with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella.
Kovachevski was accompanied at the meeting by Deputy PM for good governance policies Slavica Grkovska and Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski, the Government said in a press release.
Talks reaffirmed the sincere friendship and good relations between the two countries, with active dialogue in bilateral relations, as well as of importance for the country’s democratic development. Participants in the meeting stressed Italy’s clear position the EU enlargement with the Western Balkans must continue, which also proves to be necessary within the framework of the global current developments, reads the press release.
Interlocutors highlighted the country’s role in the region, as a country that resolves challenges through courageous leadership, patience and wisdom, and announced great support from Italy in North Macedonia’s further process of European integration, with the aim of accelerated dynamics to full-fledged EU membership.
“Prime Minister Kovachevski thanked for Italy’s great support to North Macedonia in the three decades of established diplomatic relations, in the Euro-Atlantic integrations and particularly within the process by which, after 17 years, negotiations with the EU finally began,” the press release reads.
The Prime Minister stressed that the country has fully and timely aligned with the EU’s policies, regarding the war in Ukraine, adding that it applies European values and deserves to be part of the European Union.
Talks also tackled other current issues, adds the press release, particularly dealing with the energy challenges facing Europe and the world. In this regard, participants in the meeting agreed it is necessary for the EU to closely cooperate with the Western Balkan countries as well, which should be taken into account in the possible solutions.
In addition, PM Kovachevski highlighted the importance of cooperation between North Macedonia and Italy in the area of culture, defense – as two NATO member countries, trade and investment, and together with Deputy PM Grkovska and Minister Spasovski, participants deemed important the cooperation in the area of fight against corruption, prevention and the rule of law. Interlocutors expressed interest in a new impulse in economic cooperation, particularly in the area of renewable energy sources.
