President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met today with the Special Representative of the Kingdom of Norway for the Western Balkans, Eirik Mathisen.
The interlocutors welcomed the alliance in NATO. The President expressed gratitude for Norway’s continued support for the Macedonian European integration processes.
She once again said that geographically, historically and culturally, we have always been part of Europe and that she sees our accession to the Union as a reintegration. She emphasized that as a state we have done a lot, and even changed our state and constitutional name, and pointed to the necessity of respecting the will of the citizens, as well as political dignity. The President also referred to the provisions of the EU Treaty, the Lisbon Treaty, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as other relevant documents that guarantee national and cultural identity, as well as the equality of states.
Emphasizing that our Constitution guarantees comprehensive protection of minority rights, President Siljanovska-Davkova qualified the bilateralization of the accession process to the Union as a dangerous precedent, which will not remain isolated.
The President expressed her personal interest in Norwegian literature, philosophy and art. For her, Norwegian democracy is an inspiring political system. Hence, she emphasized the satisfaction that the two countries have been cultivating excellent bilateral relations for more than three decades, as well as the expectation that cooperation will be continuously strengthened and improved in all areas of mutual interest, and especially in the economic area, reflecting the potential of both countries.
Special Representative Mathisen said at the meeting that despite the fact that Norway is not a member of the EU, it fully understands our positions. He further underlined that, today, when we are constantly facing new challenges, commitment to the principles of international law and multilateralism is more important than ever.
