20 February 2022 (MIA) Skopje — President Stevo Pendarovski met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Skopje — The enlargement of the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkans is a matter of mutual strategic engagement because integration shows commitment to building a strong, stable and united Europe, a home of democratic and civilization values ​​and forces, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski during a Munich Security Conference panel on the Western Balkans. Skopje — Addressing a Munich Security Conference panel titled “A Hole in the Heart of Europe? Back to the Balkans” on Sunday morning, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said the region wasn’t a hole but the heart of Europe and should continue to make progress in reconciliation and settling bilateral disputes as well as implement fundamental reforms, especially regarding the rule of law, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release. Skopje — Geopolitical developments, including the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, may impede the recovery of the global economy and adversely impact primary commodity markets, although North Macedonia’s direct exposure to the Russian and Ukrainian economies is small and no significant direct effects are expected; unless the EU’s growth slows down, which would be felt in the country as the EU is our main trading partner, according to National Bank Governor Anita Angelovska Bezhoska. Skopje — The exchange rate of the denar is stable, the foreign reserves increased last year, and the banking system also remains stable. Domestic demand is the main factor of the economic growth while the monetary policy is still relaxed to provide enough room for continuous economic recovery, the National Bank said in a press release on Standard & Poor’s credit agency confirming the credit rating of the country, “BB-”, with a stable outlook, in its latest report. Skopje — Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi has gone to Brussels on a two-day working visit as part of which he will meet with senior representatives of the European Commission, according to a press release. Skopje – The key step is adoption and later implementation of the new Law on Railway, prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communication. Its main novelty is that public railway infrastructure can be used by the private railway undertakings. Opening of the rail market will attract new services providers, and hopefully create ways for people to travel cheaper and more environmentally friendly, while businesses will be able to operate with greater economic benefits and reduced costs, Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Transport Community Secretariat, has stated. Minsk — Belarus and Russia are to continue holding joint military exercises, meaning that Russian troops will not be withdrawn from the country as previously announced, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin says. Washington — US President Joe Biden was set to convene a meeting of the National Security Council on the situation in Ukraine on Sunday, the White House has said. Munich — EU Council President Charles Michel plans to immediately convene a special summit of European leaders in the event of a Russian attack against Ukraine, as is widely feared in the West. Belgrade — Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić has convened an emergency session of the National Security Council on Monday, according to Serbian media reports. London — Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine would lead to the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned. Paris — French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following a lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Paris — French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President agreed to intensify “the search for solutions in diplomatic channels through the foreign ministries and political advisers” during their phone call, according to a Kremlin statement. Berlin — German Family Minister Anne Spiegel has called for a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for people aged 18 and above, in order to reach those who have so far resisted inoculation. London — In Britain, the Queen has contracted Covid, Buckingham Palace has announced. Beijing — The Olympic flame in the Bird’s Nest Stadium was extinguished a few minutes after IOC president Thomas Bach declared the 24th Winter Games in Beijing closed.