Skopje, 13 June 2024 (MIA) - North Macedonia's Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi met Thursday with Albania's President Bajram Begaj, who is paying a visit to Skopje as part of the Summit of heads of state and government of the participants in the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). 

Interlocutors particularly focused on the cooperation between the two countries, concluding that North Macedonia and Albania nurture excellent neighborly relations and sincere friendship, although, they noted, there is always room to further intensify communication on a bilateral and regional level, as well as in the process of European Union integration, the Parliament said in a press release.  

"Our two countries have always had common goals towards which we aim together, said the Parliament Speaker, pointing out that several years ago North Macedonia faced an obstacle on the path to NATO, but still it is now a full-fledged member. In that context, SpeakerGashi expressed hope that this time North Macedonia and Albania will continue to move forward on the path towards the EU together and will become full-fledged members on the same day," reads the press release. 

The President of Albania pointed out that the reforms undertaken by the two countries in terms of the European integration are not only for fulfilling the EU criteria, but above all for the development of the countries and for achieving benefits for the citizens.

As public office holders, Begaj said, we need to focus on the present and creating a better future, in order to leave behind a developed and prosperous region for future generations. 

Interlocutors also discussed the upcoming 11th Plenary Session of the South – East European Cooperation Process Parliamentary Assembly (SEECP PA), which will be held June 18-20 in Skopje, after which Albania is to take over the SEECP Chairmanship from North Macedonia.

"It is yet another sign of our commitment to deepening regional cooperation, Gashi said, expressing satisfaction that at the end of the plenary session he will hand over the SEECP PA chairmanship to a delegation of the Parliament of Albania.

As regards further deepening of the cooperation between North Macedonia and Albania, as well as among the countries in the region, Speaker Gashi noted that infrastructure projects should also be a priority. In that way, he underlined, a better connection between states and citizens will be ensured, as a prerequisite for the economic progress of the region as a whole.

"The construction of roads, energy and rail connectivity within Corridor 8 must continue, in order to increase the flow of people, goods and services, regarding which there is huge potential," Speaker Gashi said as cited in the press release. 

Photo: Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia