Rome, 25 May 2024 (MIA) — President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova said Friday in Rome that she had asked Italian President Sergio Mattarella to help guarantee the country's European future.

"I asked the Italian president and Italy to help in providing guarantees for our European political future, to which he replied that he was ready to stand behind us and seek solutions with our neighbors," Siljanovska Davkova said after her meeting with Mattarella.

According to MIA's reporter from Rome, she said the meeting was "fruitful and constructive" and they discussed bilateral and regional cooperation.

"The President said Italy would continue supporting the region, and us, in every respect, not only in European integration but also in the economy, education, culture, defense, and membership in international organizations," Siljanovska Davkova said.

She stressed that she had been impressed by Mattarella's showing a deep understanding of the sacrifices made by the country in the process of European integration.

"He noted that we cannot say there are big and small states in the EU – they are all small and they all need each other. We agreed that European standards should be respected by everyone – those outside as well as those inside," she said.

The President's meeting with her Italian counterpart wrapped up her visit to Rome and the Vatican to mark May 24, Ss. Cyril and Methodius Day.

During the visit, she had an audience with Pope Francis, attended a prayer service at the tomb of St. Cyril in the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome, and laid flowers at the memorial plaque in the Macedonian language in honor of Ss. Cyril and Methodius at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

This was her first official visit abroad as head of state after winning the presidential elections on May 8. mr/