SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
Аt the North Macedonia-Kosovo joint governmental session in Pristina on Monday, which was followed by a joint press-conference by Hristijan Mickoski and counterpart Albin Kurti, the two PMs praised the Skopje-Pristina cooperation and relations.
There was a discussion on the importance of the Euro-Atlantic integration processes, as well as on the common commitment to European values and standards, Mickoski stated. He also pointed out that they were convinced the future of the Western Balkans was in the EU and NATO, adding that challenges could be overcome through joint efforts.
“For too long, this region has wasted time on political issues, disregarding issues of the real life of citizens. Citizens in Pristina, citizens in Skopje or citizens from any place in the two countries are interested in a better life, better standards, higher criteria for education. Let’s highlight the points that unite us and for which doing common work is worth it. It’s time for us to be solving economic issues. This meeting is of that exact nature. We’re here for a better life,” North Macedonia’s PM underlined.
The topics of education, culture, and youth were discussed as well in order to, as Mickoski stated, encourage mutual understanding and build stronger ties between the two peoples.
“Investing in those areas means investing in our common future,” he assessed.
Kosovan PM Kurti stated that there were no disputes between Skopje and Pristina and that there was continued communication on topics of common interest.
“After a long wait, there will be joint control at Elez Han-Blace and Jazince-Globocica,” Kurti noted.
At the session, he said that though the two countries had signed 50 agreements so far, what was needed now was to implement them. Kosovo and North Macedonia, Kurti also stressed, will sign two memoranda and a protocol in the field of energy, education, and facilitation of free movement, whose implementation would start in January of next year.
According to Mickoski, the two countries have a common market of 17-18 million euros, but he and Kurti agreed at the bilateral meeting for that cooperation to increase to around 500 million.
“If we work together, we will be stronger because unity makes neighbours even stronger. We intend for commercial cooperation to be even greater in the common years and for it to bring benefits for us. I am convinced we will succeed,” North Macedonia’s PM stressed.
The session saw a Memorandum signed by Energy, Mining, and Mineral Raw Materials Minister Sanja Bozinovska and Kosovan Economy Minister Artan Rizvanolli, while the Blace and Jazince crossings protocol was signed by Interior Minister Pance Toskovski and his counterpart, Xhelal Svecla.
In addition, Education and Science Minister Vesna Janevska signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with Kosovo’s Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Arberie Nagavci. Furthermore, in the frames of the session, Transport Minister and Deputy PM Aleksandar Nikoloski, together with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Kaltrina Zekolli Shaqiri, met with the Kosovan Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, Liburn Aliu.
The meeting, according to the press-release issued by Nikoloski’s Ministry, focused on the matter of quality connectivity between the two countries, especially from a railway and road standpoint.
“Macedonia has entered a strong investment cycle to build a modern road and railway network,” Nikoloski stated, adding that there were no deviations with regards to the issue of connecting the two countries by a motorway.
Moreover, Public Administration Minister Goran Mincev met Kosovan Local Government Administration Elbert Krasniqi, at which they talked about strengthening bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, with an emphasis on public administration reform and support for building public administration capacities.
