Skopje, 28 February 2024 (MIA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi met Wednesday in Tirana with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighting the Government's commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

PM Xhaferi said that North Macedonia has continually manifested its position in bilateral terms, within NATO and through its alignment with the EU foreign common and security policy, as well as by joining the G7 Declaration of support for Ukraine, and will continue to do so, the Government said in a press release.

Xhaferi said he feels personal responsibility and obligation to continue to provide his contribution in strengthening bilateral cooperation and support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity after receiving Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise back in 2022.

President Zelensky thanked the government and people of North Macedonia for their strong and comprehensive support, primarily in political and military terms, but also for the reception of Ukrainian refugees. He also said Ukraine appreciates North Macedonia's joining to the Bucha Declaration on accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine.  

Xhaferi and Zelensky signed a joint statement on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.

The statement condemns the crimes of the armed forces of the Russian Federation on civilian population and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including energy facilities, schools, hospitals and residential buildings, which are protected by international humanitarian law. It highlights the need for urgent and full withdrawal of all troops and armed formations of the Russian Federation from Ukraine's sovereign territory, within its internationally recognized borders in 1991. It also notes the importance of investigating war crimes on Ukraine's territory, in line with international law, reads the press release.

The statement accentuates Ukraine's significant contribution to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, especially its efforts to deter the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression of the Russian Federation. In this regard, the statement stresses the need for further strengthening of the consolidated capacity of the Euro-Atlantic community, for the purpose of efficient countering of existing and potential global challenges and security threats.

In addition, the statement notes the joint efforts to ensure further progress in the implementation of EU and NATO standards, leading to Ukraine's membership in both, while highlighting mutual support in the EU accession negotiations.

Photo and video: Government