Skopje, 30 July 2021 (MIA) – The majority of citizens in North Macedonia and Kosovo support European integration. Both countries are prepared to develop in that direction, by enhancing cooperation, rule of law, fight against crime and corruption, as well as by implementing reforms in key areas, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Kosovo’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz said during a meeting on Friday, the government said in a press release. They stressed excellent relations between the two countries, adding that Kosovo is one of North Macedonia’s most important trade partners. Moreover, interlocutors discussed European integration perspectives. Gërvalla-Schwarz expressed at the meeting Kosovo’s support for North Macedonia’s and Albania’s EU integration, which will benefit the entire region. The process, she added, motivates European and democratic values in the Balkans, as well as in Europe, which is made complete by the Western Balkans. “EU membership is the only choice for North Macedonia and the region. We’ve made bold moves at political level, implemented reforms and we expect the EU to value these achievements. In the meantime, we’re working on the country’s Europeanization to ensure continuous advancement for the living standard of citizens,” Zaev said. He also briefed Gërvalla-Schwarz on the advantages of the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, a continuation of the Berlin process, for closer and more efficient cooperation between institutions, as well as for new economic development opportunities and better living conditions for citizens, the press release read.