The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Bojan Maricik, had a meeting today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the country, HE Fatos Reka.

Deputy Prime Minister Maricik and Reka discussed the possible joint start of accession talks with the Union, which will give the two neighbouring countries the opportunity to achieve closer cooperation for exchange of experiences and mutual support in the overall process of negotiations with the EU.

Ambassador Reka reaffirmed Albania's support for overcoming outstanding issues with neighbouring Bulgaria in order to speed up the process.

The importance of the current initiatives in which North Macedonia and Albania jointly participate, i.e. the Open Balkans and, in parallel, the Berlin Process, was emphasized at the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister Maricik and Ambassador Reka pointed out that the intensification of bilateral cooperation at both the political and economic level is crucial in the forthcoming period.

At the same time, they welcomed the initiatives for implementation of joint infrastructure projects, which will contribute to the rapprochement of the countries, i.e. shortening of travel time and facilitation of trade, both within the projects for cross-border cooperation with European support, as well as joint projects between the two governments.