Skopje, 28 July 2022 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Thursday with new British Ambassador to North Macedonia, Matthew Lawson, wishing him success in the post and expressing satisfaction from the excellent cooperation with the Embassy and the commitment to fostering strong relations over the course of nearly 30 years of diplomatic ties. Speaker Xhaferi referred to the long-standing cooperation with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) through projects aimed at strengthening the capacities of parliamentary committees, parliamentary staff and political parties, for the purpose of effective implementation of the institution’s key functions, the Parliament said in a press release. “The current war in Ukraine, challenges for peace and global stability in general, have imposed the need for stronger cohesion among NATO allies. North Macedonia, being a NATO member, remains committed to the Alliance’s values and highly appreciates the bilateral cooperation between the UK and North Macedonia in the defense field, benefiting both countries and NATO,” said Xhaferi. He said yesterday’s ratification of Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession protocols in the Parliament sent a clear and unequivocal message of support to the two countries, with the British Ambassador expressing satisfaction from the overwhelming consensus in the voting. Ambassador Lawson said his first meeting after presenting his credentials demonstrated his personal commitment to establishing and maintaining continued relations with the Parliament through active engagement at all levels. He highlighted his priorities as Ambassador – security, NATO partnership and support to state institutions, trade and investments, establishment of a UK-North Macedonia Chamber of Commerce, support to the country’s reforms, especially in the Euro-integration process. Another, personal priority of the Ambassador s the support to culture, languages, lifestyles and mutual respect of the richness of cultural traits, reads the press release.