Skopje, 11 January 2023 (MIA) – I welcome and consider as positive every conversation between a proven friend and Euro-Atlanticist, and politicians from North Macedonia, that is aimed at building friendship, good neighborliness and maintaining the course of EU integration of a region in which two different concepts for the future exist, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Wednesday.

PM Kovachevski was quizzed by reporters over yesterday’s meeting of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama with representatives of parties of ethnic Albanians in North Macedonia.

Kovachevski said one of the concepts in the region is led by himself, Rama and other prime ministers, and is aimed at the European integration of the entire region, while the other concept is led by politicians who believe that the region should not be integrated within the EU. Rama and I, the PM said, view that concept as wrong and believe that the politicians behind it have failed to offer an alternative.

“These politicians have never provided an alternative nor proof that such a thing can work and bring a better living standard to the region,” said the PM.

This is why, he said, the messages from the meeting in Tirana are in favor of the EU integration processes.

“This is why I believe that the messages sent after the meeting in Tirana move precisely in that direction, in the direction of a smooth European integration for North Macedonia and Albania,” said Kovachevski.

PM Rama, he added, is a proven friend of our country and a proven Euro-Atlanticist, who has always been guided by the principle of integration of the entire Balkan region, and especially the Western Balkans, into NATO and the EU.

“All of his public statements move in this direction. The second thing we should note is that PM Rama and I are members of the Party of European Socialists in Brussels. Rama had my full support when he was elected Vice-President of the Socialist International. I consider his success to be the success of the entire region. In turn, PM Rama’s party provided its full support in electing Radmila Shekjerinska Vice-President of the Party of European Socialists,” said Kovachevski.

Edi Rama’s informal dinner on Tuesday in Tirana was attended by Ali Ahmeti from DUI, Arben Taravari from the Alliance for Albanians, Meduh Thaçi from DPA and Afrim Gashi from Alternative. Out of all invited leaders, only BESA’s Bilall Kasami did not attend the meeting.

At the meeting, Rama was accompanied by Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka, the Socialist Party’s whip Taulant Balla, as well as the party’s secretary general Damian Gjiknuri. ad/ik/