The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, in the framework of his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, met today in Berlin with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
At the meeting, the two presidents exchanged views on the overall bilateral relations between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Germany, the situation in the region, as well as the aspirations of the Republic of North Macedonia for membership in the European Union and NATO. The two presidents assessed that the two countries share excellent bilateral relations, politically and in many other areas of common interest, such as defense and security, economy and education. In the past year, President Pendarovski emphasized, the two countries achieved a trade exchange of USD 4.3 billion, and in 2019 that amount already exceeds USD 1 billion, lifting Germany up to the top of the list of trade partners of North Macedonia.
President Steinmeier reaffirmed Germany’s firm support for the integration of North Macedonia in the European Union and NATO.
President Pendarovski thanked for the continued support and expressed expectation that the Republic of North Macedonia will soon start the accession negotiations for membership in the European Union, and that the ratification of the Accession Protocol by the NATO member states will soon be completed, North Macedonia will become a full member of the alliance. In that context, President Pendarovski expressed satisfaction with the ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol by the German Bundestag.
President Pendarovski assessed that today’s meeting and the realization of the visit to Germany is an opportunity for renewal and intensification of the dialogue at the level of presidents, in the function of further strengthening of the partnership between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Germany.
