TIRANA, Feb 27 /ATA/ Speaking at a joint press conference in Skopje alongside the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, emphasized that bilateral relations between the two countries exemplify regional cooperation and remain oriented toward the further deepening of bilateral, regional, and international partnership.
During the meeting, President Begaj emphasized the excellent, friendly, and close bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the shared commitment to enhancing cooperation within international organizations.
He emphasized that the institutionalization of cooperation through joint government meetings and signed agreements has directly contributed to the improvement of the lives of citizens in both countries.
President Begaj underscored the strategic importance of economic cooperation, emphasizing that it is shaped by geographical proximity, CEFTA membership, and the shared trajectory toward European Union accession.
He further highlighted that North Macedonia represents a key economic partner for Albania, noting growth in trade flows, particularly in the tourism and transport sectors, while stressing that significant opportunities for further economic collaboration remain untapped.
He emphasized that the implementation of previously concluded projects has produced tangible results, including the mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications, the facilitation of border crossings, and the implementation of joint infrastructure and energy initiatives.
President Begaj described Corridor VIII as a symbol of a new era of regional cooperation, emphasizing the need for coordinated political, economic, and human engagement.
He further underscored that the corridor represents not only a transport route, but also an energy, railway, and road corridor, as well as a European security corridor connecting the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, thereby positioning both countries at the heart of this strategic axis.
President Begaj highlighted the important role and contributions of the Albanian community in North Macedonia, describing them as state-building, collaborative, and pivotal to the country’s political stability and Euro-Atlantic integration.
He further emphasized that the Albanian community in North Macedonia and the Macedonian community in Albania act a solid bridge of friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
President Begaj highlighted the Ohrid Framework Agreement as a milestone and underscored the necessity of building a functional multiethnic society through its enforcement and adherence to its obligations.
He further emphasized that fair and dignified representation of Albanians in state institutions, full enforcement of Albanian language legislation, and the maintenance of equality mechanisms are not merely procedural issues, but essential foundations for social cohesion, institutional stability, and the country’s European integration trajectory.
President Begaj stated that European integration is not merely a national objective for Albania or North Macedonia, but a shared strategic project for the entire region.
He further emphasized that Albania intends to complete its EU negotiation chapters by 2027 and achieve European Union membership by 2030, describing this as an ambitious yet realistic objective, supported by the commitment of the administration and the implementation of concrete reforms for the benefit of citizens.
The President underscored Albania’s support for North Macedonia in its European integration process and in fulfilling the obligations necessary to advance this process successfully.
In conclusion, he emphasized that cooperation in the fields of security and defense, as neighboring countries and NATO allies, contributes to the promotion of peace, stability, prosperity, and security in the region.
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