Skopje, 19 July 2021 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met on Monday with outgoing Israeli Ambassador Dan Orian, accompanied by Israel’s honorary consul in Skopje Gradimir Shumkovski. “The Ambassador stressed satisfaction over progress achieved in bilateral relations, meetings between institutions, cooperation, as well as significant ongoing projects and the overall collaboration potential between the two friendly countries,” Parliament said in a press release. The Israeli Ambassador also briefed the Parliament Speaker of the Knesset Speaker’s expectations for strengthening cooperation between the two parliaments and especially between parliamentary cooperation groups. He thanked Xhaferi for efforts to affirm Holocaust remembrance and for his support and participation in events aiming to raise social awareness about these issues. “Speaker Xhaferi stressed the Parliament’s readiness for cooperation at all levels, adding that parliamentary diplomacy has no limits or formal expectations and facilitates communication,” the press release read. He underlined that by opening the Holocaust Memorial Center  in Skopje, North Macedonia has proven its unconditional respect for the victims of that terrible event that mustn’t be forgotten. “In regard to geopolitics and North Macedonia’s strategic objectives, Xhaferi pointed out North Macedonia’s full-fledged NATO membership, as well as expectations for improving relations with the EU by starting negotiations by the end of the year,” the press release noted. Interlocutors also discussed mutual expectations for future cooperation, especially in the area of economic diplomacy, military-defence sector, technology and innovation, tourism, and culture. Speaker Xhaferi awarded Ambassador Orian a recognition for his cooperation efforts and wished him success and happiness in his professional and personal life, expressing assurance that the next Ambassador will continue to honor and promote diverse, rich and fruitful cooperation between North Macedonia and Israel.