Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani signed on Tuesday, via video link, a Declaration of Intent between North Rhine-Westphalia and North Macedonia to encourage economic and academic collaboration as well as help with North Macedonia’s European integration.
German Ambassador to North Macedonia Anke Holstein attended the official ceremony in Skopje.
According to FM Osmani, the main priority of the declaration is to initiate and stimulate cooperation toward European integration, which, he said, would be a significant impetus for North Macedonia’s reform agenda and support it on its EU path.
Noting that Germany is North Macedonia’s main partner in EU integration, Osmani said the declaration would encourage businesses, universities, research institutions, chambers of commerce, and investors to work together and improve North Macedonia’s economy.
He said North Rhine-Westphalia, as the most populated German federal state, contributes 22 percent to the country’s GDP. It is also a home to large Macedonian diaspora community, Osmani added.
“In the near future,” he said, “as soon as the epidemiological conditions allow, I will have the opportunity to visit Dusseldorf and review our projects with my colleague Holthoff-Pförtner. I hope he will then visit Skopje and join me in truly contributing to the goals of our declaration.”
Holthoff-Pförtner, via video link, pointed out that the declaration continues the countries’ long-standing cooperation and paves the way for implementing shared goals.
He expressed regret that North Macedonia did not start negotiations with the EU, noting that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is of great importance and in the EU’s best interest.
“I’m sorry that Macedonia had an unpleasant surprise regarding its EU integration, but it is necessary for you all to continue your efforts. The Portuguese presidency is also committed to help in this regard. We have a common goal together and this declaration will help us move in the right direction,” Holthoff-Pförtner said.
He added that the countries’ Ministries of Economy and Ministries of Education were considering possibilities to collaborate more in the future as well as develop academic exchange programs.
He also said a qualification program was being developed to offer North Macedonia’s citizens internships in companies in Germany.
Partnerships would be created within the IT sector, as well, which would benefit both sides, he said.
Additionally, according to Holthoff-Pförtner, the countries’ civil society sectors would be encouraged to cooperate.
Ambassador Holstein underlined that the purpose of the declaration was to intensify economic cooperation and promote academic exchange programs.
“Germany is North Macedonia’s most important economic partner,” Holstein said. “Before the pandemic, our trade volume was EUR 1.4 million, and under these difficult conditions we managed to increase this volume. Over 200 German companies are active in North Macedonia, creating many jobs.”
North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of almost 18 million, is the most populated German state and the seat of a number of leading, not only German but also European, industries and businesses.
The signing of the Declaration of Intent, according to the MFA, will further strengthen the position of the Federal Republic of Germany as the most important foreign policy and economic trade partner of the Republic of North Macedonia and one of the three most important investors into the country’s market.
