The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, received today the letters of credence by Maria Virginia Mendes da Silva Pina, newly appointed Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to the Republic of North Macedonia, based in Belgrade.
President Pendarovski, at the ceremony of presenting the credentials, said that the diplomatic relations between the two countries had entered the third decade, adding that cooperation has been established over the past period in a number of fields, based on mutual understanding and sincere respect. The President stressed that our country’s NATO membership will be an additional binding bridge between the two countries as partners and allies who share the same views and values regarding international peace and security, adding that the Portuguese Republic’s support for the integration of the Western Balkan countries in the European Union, and in the framework of the Republic of North Macedonia, is of great importance. “The Republic of North Macedonia deserves to start accession negotiations with the European Union as soon as possible. The next few months are important in that context not only for us as a state, but also for the whole region of the Western Balkans”, President Pendarovski said.
Ambassador Maria Virginia Mendes da Silva Pina said that bilateral political relations are excellent and that in the coming period, economic cooperation will be strengthened through cooperation in ICT, environment, energy and tourism, and through better understanding and bringing people together, the cultural dimension of bilateral relations will also be enhanced in both countries. Congratulating North Macedonia on the long and positive path it walked through with determination and goodwill towards the ultimate goal – EU membership, the Portuguese Ambassador expressed her country’s support and stressed that she is confident that the two countries would intensify their defense cooperation. “We look forward to have you on board, knowing that you, as a European country, should be part of NATO and the European Union”, Ambassador Maria Virginia Mendes da Silva Pina said.
President Pendarovski wished the newly appointed Ambassador success in the execution of her responsible diplomatic office.
