President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met today, on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya, with the President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen.
The discussion reaffirmed the excellent Macedonian-Austrian relations, founded on mutual respect, friendship and cooperation, as well as the shared European values.
She expressed gratitude for Austria’s principled support of the Macedonian European integration path, as well as for its commitment to the stability, security and European perspective of the Western Balkans.
Both leaders exchanged views on the future of the European project and the European Union enlargement process. It was emphasized that the credibility of this process is built upon clear rules, equal criteria and merit, and that the European perspective must remain realistic and attainable for all candidate countries.
Siljanovska-Davkova noted that enlargement is not only a political and economic issue, but also a security matter – particularly at a time of geopolitical tensions that pose a threat to peace in Europe. Both sides pointed to opportunities for deepening Macedonian-Austrian cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, climate policy, education and culture.
During the meeting, a readiness was expressed to intensify political dialogue at the highest level and it was agreed, as a specific step in this direction, to hold an official meeting between the two presidents.
