Prime Minister Zoran Zaev held a meeting on Wednesday with the new Serbian Ambassador to North Macedonia Nevena Jovanović, during which they stressed that excellent bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries represents a good foundation for strengthening economic relations.

Interlocutors, the government said in a press release, agreed that opportunities for infrastructural connectivity make room for economic and investment climate development that can result in economic benefits for citizens in both countries.

“In that regard, they underlined the importance of regional economic connectivity and establishment of a common regional market that can compete with European and international markets,” the press release read.

Ambassador Jovanović congratulated PM Zaev and the government on organizing the Prespa Forum Dialogue, adding that North Macedonia and its Prime Minister have been recognized as credible regional and international partners.

“In regard to the region’s European integration, interlocutors stressed the importance of the continuation of the EU enlargement process, as well as the need to reaffirm trust in the EU, noting that allowing bilateral issues into the negotiating process sets a dangerous precedent with regional consequences,” the government underlined.

The Ambassador, the press release added, expressed at the meeting Serbia’s strong support for North Macedonia’s European perspectives and for the start of its EU accession negotiations.

“We demonstrated that the Western Balkans can be a source of democracy and stability. We have to resume economic development and respect European values, thus contributing to the realization of our EU integration goals,” PM Zaev said.

He thanked Serbian political leaders and citizens for showing solidarity by donating vaccines for Macedonian doctors and other health professionals amid the pandemic, as well as for allowing Macedonian nationals to get vaccinated in Serbia.

Ambassador Jovanović also expressed gratitude to Macedonian authorities for cooperation in the first few months of the pandemic, as well as for exempting Serbian nationals from paying road toll.

During the meeting, interlocutors also discussed the realization of several bilateral issues, including opening cultural information centers, interest in establishing reciprocity over acquiring private property ownership and promoting the ‘one stop shop’ border system.