Skopje, 13 June 2024 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi met Thursday with British Ambassador Matthew Lawson and highlighted the excellent bilateral relations that have been fostered for more than three decades.

Speaker Gashi thanked the United Kingdom for its leading role and support in the development and key moments of North Macedonia's path as an independent European democracy, the Parliament said in a press release.

Gashi also referred to the parliamentary cooperation, the assistance provided through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the drafting of the Law on the National Development Strategy.

"In the field of economic cooperation, we are proud that the UK is our second-largest trade partner and one of the biggest direct investors, whereas North Macedonia is UK's largest trade partner from the Western Balkans," said Gashi.

Ambassador Lawson congratulated Speaker Gashi on his election to the post and expressed satisfaction from the validation regarding the continuation of the already established cooperation. He also welcomed the adoption of the law on the National Development Strategy and the defense budgeting in line with NATO standards, reads the press release.

Photo: Parliament