TIRANA, Nov  14 /ATA/ -By Maela Marini/ Prime Minister Edi Rama stated on Monday in Skopje that “it is time to project ourselves better, with much more strength and ambition in the future beyond the war and in the meantime to make the most out of our perseverance and ability to create a more complete synergy with the European Union”.

In the joint meeting of the two governments, Albania-North Macedonia, Rama focused on the support recently received from the EU for coping with the energy crisis.

“It is a good news for us, but on the other hand, if we keep in mind that those funds are a reallocation of the IPA funds for our countries, then we must be much more ambitious and require more of the European Union. We cannot be content and let alone rejoice at this step, which is a big step if compared to the tragic moments of the pandemic when we were left completely alone, isolated in the middle of Europe without an opportunity to receive vaccines in the first phase . On the other hand, it is a half-way step, if we look at what we need and not only what we can get, but what we can give to this whole community and this community of countries and states of Europe”, he said.

In conclusion, Rama expressed his gratitude to the deputy prime minister of the government of North Macedonia, Artan Grubin, who chairs this joint process on the Macedonian side.

“I believe he is the best Albanian among Macedonians and the best Macedonian among Albanians. For us, it is a pleasure and a privilege to have such a reliable partner at the level of daily work, as well as all colleagues. I was duty-bound to convey this on behalf of my entire team because at the preparatory level and of the technical work, they are the ones who have the opportunity to appreciate the work of Artan and your entire team,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that it is in the great mutual strategic national interest of both countries to maintain as strong, fraternal and steadfast relations as possible in the face of any kind of storm or adverse time.

“We are two communicating vessels that cannot do without each other, just as we have the great obligation to work together in the interests of the stability of our two states and at the same time and the utter harmony between our two peoples, between Albanians and Macedonians. We pray for strength, patience and as many tangible results as possible for our people, in this sincere constructive and shared effort as never before”, he said.

/sm/