Skopje, 21 December 2021 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met on Tuesday with the Speaker of The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mustafa Şentop, who is paying an official visit to North Macedonia alongside a group of MPs. The meeting, Parliament said in a press release, was also attended by Deputy Speaker Goran Misovski, the president of the parliamentary group for cooperation with the Turkish Parliament Bejxhan Iljas, group members Nikola Micevski, Igor Janushev, Enes Ibrahim, Merita Kolchi-Koxhxhiku, Zekir Ramchilovikj and Husni Ismaili, as well as Parliament Secretary General Cvetanka Ivanova. Xhaferi and Şentop expressed satisfaction over meeting again, especially on Turkish Language Day, adding that the meeting is a confirmation of excellent bilateral relations, based on mutual understanding, close friendship and partnership and active cooperation in many areas of mutual interest. They also noted that high level communication contributes to promoting overall bilateral relations and that friendly relations are reflected in fruitful parliamentary cooperation. Parliament Speaker Xhaferi talked about successful cooperation between North Macedonia and Turkey within NATO and expressed satisfaction that the countries have signed 100 bilateral agreements in all areas of mutual interest. He also stressed interest in further advancing economic cooperation and encouraging Turkish investments in North Macedonia, adding that bilateral cooperation in defence, internal affairs, culture, health, tourism, labor and social policy is very successful. In regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, Xhaferi expressed satisfaction that Turkey has highlighted the need for international cooperation and global solidarity and thanked Turkey for making donations that helped North Macedonia manage the pandemic. Şentop underlined that Turkey supports North Macedonia in all aspects. He expressed satisfaction that economic relations between the two countries are developing, stressing that bilateral trade exchange has increased by 46%. He also stressed that Turkey remains a strong supporter of North Macedonia’s European Union integration, adding that bilateral issues shouldn’t pose an obstacle for membership in multilateral organizations. The Speaker of The Turkish Grand National Assembly expressed hopes that the dispute with Bulgaria will be resolved as soon as possible and North Macedonia will be able to start EU accession talks. He also stressed the importance of North Macedonia’s Turkish community for Turkey. In addition, Xhaferi and Şentop discussed current events in both countries and expressed assurance that long-term partnership, as well as bilateral relations and cooperation in many areas of mutual interest will continue to advance. Moreover, they pledged to continue to enhance excellent relations between the two parliaments.