Skopje, 31 January 2024 (MIA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi met with Albanian Ambassador to North Macedonia, Fatos Reka, on Wednesday.

Participants in the meeting conveyed congratulations from Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama on the election of Prime Minister Xhaferi and the new Government, reads an official press release. 

Interlocutors highlighted excellent relations between North Macedonia and Albania, as a significant example of good neighborly relations in the region, which is a serious contribution to the stability of the entitre Western Balkans, and thus the European continent. 

"Interlocutors agreed that North Macedonia and Albania are successfully developing on the European path and deserve full-fledged membership in the European Union in a dynamic process by 2030. This is of importance for the citizens of the two countries, as well as for European stability, due to the current geopolitical context. Therefore, the most realistic chance for European integration so far, for both countries, should not be missed," reads the press release.   

In that regard, PM Xhaferi stressed that the new, transitional Government, which is based on the pro-European coalition, continues to work in accordance with the pro-European course in policies, aimed at quality of citizens' life in line with European standards. In addition, Xhaferi particularly highlighted the Government's focus on organizing peaceful, fair and democratic elections.

In terms of development of cooperation, the press release adds, PM Xhaferi and Ambassador Reka agreed that there is a joint commitment to enhanced regional economic integration, as demonstrated with the signed protocols on implementing conditions for free access to the labor market in the Western Balkans, as well as on interconnection of electronic identification schemes for citizens in the Western Balkans. Talks also tackled commitment to infrastructural connection via Corridors 8 and 10, which brings economic benefits for the two countries. 

Photo and video: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia