For years, our countries have been developing excellent bilateral relations and successful cooperation led by the principles of mutual support and respect. Every promotion of relations between neighbours brings stability, prosperity for the entire region and it is precisely because of this that we give full support to the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, led by the EU, and we will support a solution that is acceptable for both sides, stated Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at today’s joint press conference with his Kosovo counterpart Albin Kurti, after the joint intergovernmental session.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti assessed that today’s meeting between the two government is a historic moment, for cooperation between the Republic of North Macedonia and Kosovo and that they have covered the topics on the needs of the citizens of the two countries.
The first joint intergovernmental session, pointed out Zaev, is an exceptionally positive impulse for further development and intensifying of our relations and overall cooperation, and today we have signed a total of 11 agreements, memorandums and programs that also include cooperation in cross-border projects through the EU IPA program, cooperation in the area of energy, innovation and technological development, culture and tourism.
– That is a clear expression of our political will and the interest of the two countries to additionally strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Today we had a nice and fruitful day. Our results are in the interest of the citizens of the two countries and I believe that in the following period, the ministers and all institutions will be committed to the implementation of the tasks that we set today. I expect for this to give impulse also to the development of cooperation in many other fields in the future, highlighted Zaev.
In the forefront, pointed out Zaev, we have put the agreements and memorandums on infrastructure connectivity of our two countries.
– In the package of signed agreements is the agreement on merging the two highways at the border crossing Blace, within the construction of the highway section Skopje-Blace, the agreement on the study for the road Prizren – Tetovo, the agreement on establishing joint border crossings, as well as the agreement for a joint ski project that would connect Brezovica and Popova Sapka, stated Zaev.
For North Macedonia, Kosovo is one of the most important trade partners, outlined Zaev, where the trade exchange is free of customs, according to the CEFTA agreement and the Agreement on economic cooperation.
– In this exchange, we have realized a significant surplus in our favour, with which Kosovo is one of the main export partners for our economy. The total trade exchange in 2020 was 305.7 million dollars, and in the first quarter of this year alone the trade exchange is 130.2 million dollars, and we expect this year to have 400-million-dollar total trade exchange between the two countries, said Zaev.
Republic of North Macedonia, outlined Zaev, is ready to share with the Republic of Kosovo all of its experience from our NATO integration, in the future in the same Alliance.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti assessed that today’s meeting between the two countries is a historic moment for cooperation between the Republic of North Macedonia and Kosovo.
-Republic of North Macedonia this year celebrates 30 years of independence, Kosovo 13 years of independence, and this is the first meeting between our governments for intensifying and broadening cooperation in many areas, said Kurti expressing sincere condolences for the people who lost their lives in the fire in the Tetovo modular hospital.
He added that they have signed 11 new agreements, which, as he said, also refer to tourism, cooperation in the field of entrepreneurship, economy, security, transport, cross-border cooperation, connecting Popova Sapka with Brezovica and so on.
– Before the meeting, together with the Prime Minister we had a joint official and friendly meeting. Regardless of everything, we covered the topics on the needs of our citizens and wish to have some kind of base that will be based on the best European practices, said Kurti.
Translation: n. Cvetkovska
