President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, as part of her visit to the Italian Republic, met today with the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella.
At the meeting, the President expressed satisfaction that her first visit to an EU and NATO member state is to Italy, which is a confirmation of the friendly relations between the two countries, and stressed that she will advocate for further advancement of the political dialogue and intensification of the overall bilateral relations between the Macedonian with the Italian Republic.
The interlocutors exchanged opinions on the challenges of the Macedonian European integration process, during which the President expressed gratitude for the previous Italian support of the European Union’s enlargement policy, as well as for the positive relationship in overcoming inter-neighborly disputes during the admission of new members to the Union. In order to maintain the credibility of the enlargement process, respect for international law and universal democratic values, President Siljanovska Davkova expressed hope that the Italian Republic will continue to support the meritorious process of fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria in relation to the European integration. At the same time, she expressed readiness for cooperation in order to consistently implement all the necessary reforms in the key areas that were noted by the European Commission.
As NATO allies, the readiness to continue defense cooperation and mutual support in overcoming the current security challenges on the European continent was confirmed at the meeting. In that direction, opinions were exchanged regarding the political situation and open issues in the Western Balkans, which are of interest to the security and stability of the wider region.
Pointing out that Italy is our significant trade partner, President Siljanovska Davkova expressed interest in strengthening the existing ones and finding new opportunities for deepening economic relations and expanding cooperation in the field of tourism, youth and sports policies, as well as the creative industry.
In a statement to the media, President Siljanovska Davkova assessed the meeting as fruitful and constructive, during which President Mattarella confirmed Italy’s commitment to support the region and to support us in every aspect, not only in the European integration but also in the economy, education, culture, defense, as well as Italian and our membership in international organizations.
“I asked the Italian President and Italy, on our way forward, to help us by giving guarantees for our European political future, to which he replied that he is ready to back us, of course in seeking solutions with our neighbors”, President Siljanovska Davkova said, emphasizing that the Italian President expressed a deep understanding of the sacrifices made in the European integration process.
“We reached an agreement or we agreed that the European standards should be respected by everyone, by those outside, like us, but also by those inside”, President Siljanovska Davkova said after the meeting with the Italian President Mattarella.
President Siljanovska Davkova is leading the state-church delegation in a visit to the Italian Republic and the Holy See on the occasion of the celebration of “Macedonia in Honor of St. Cyril”.
