Skopje, 1 February 2024 (MIA) – Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Jovan Mitreski, held an online meeting Thursday with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, during which they reaffirmed and welcomed North Macedonia’s decisive support and solidarity with Ukraine, the Ukrainian institutions and people in the face of Russia’s brutal and unjustified aggression, said the Parliament of North Macedonia in a press release.

Congratulating Mitreski on his election as Speaker of the Parliament, Stefanchuk also voiced gratitude to North Macedonia over its support for Ukraine’s aspirations to NATO and EU membership, and invited Mitreski to address a session of the Verkhovna Rada.

Pointing to the Declaration adopted by Parliament which condemns the military attacks on Ukraine, Speaker Mitreski said North Macedonia is an active participant in the parliamentary dimension of the international Crimea Platform. He also highlighted the fact that North Macedonia has joined all restrictive measures implemented on the Russian Federation, as well as all decisions related to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, supporting the country’s aspirations for membership in the Euro-Atlantic organizations.

“In the Republic of North Macedonia we are carefully monitoring the developments in Ukraine, and we are continually reaffirming our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the inviolability of its borders. In the future too, we will continue to provide active diplomatic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine, within our capabilities and capacities,” said Mitreski, noting the readiness of the Macedonian side to support Ukraine in the Euro-Atlantic integration process with its experience and expertise.

Voicing his confidence that North Macedonia will continue to support and assist Ukraine, Stefanchuk noted that the two countries deserve to become members of the European Union, and should cooperate within the process.

“I assure you that in me, Ukraine has a sincere and proven longstanding friend and supporter. In the future too, you can count on my support in terms of the improvement of bilateral cooperation between Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada, as well as on a multilateral level,” said Mitreski.

The Speaker of Parliament also spoke about the exhibition “Ukraine Remembers, the World Acknowledges”, hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia on the 100th anniversary of the Holodomor. Mitreski reminded that the situation in Ukraine was also at the top of the country’s priorities when it chaired the OSCE, adding that North Macedonia would be honored to participate in the Ukraine peace summit.

Photo: Parliament of North Macedonia