Zaev in Tirane, Prime minister of North Macedonia on official visit to Albania

Zaev in Tirane, Prime minister of North Macedonia on official visit to Albania

The prime minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, was warmly welcomed by his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, for his official visit to Tirana.

“North Macedonia is not just a neighbouring country, but a strategically indispensable one. We will sit together at the European family table,” declared Edi Rama.

After the meeting between the two delegations, the leaders gave a rather humorous press conference.

The Albanian Prime Minister suggested it was his counterpart's turn to foot the bill for the next meeting between the two governments, which is expected to occur this summer after presidential elections in North Macedonia and local Elections in Albania.

“15 month ago, we organized this meeting of our two governments and it is time to prepare for the second one.

“Of course, we waiting for the official invitation because it's your turn to welcome us and you are supposed to pay for lunch. I believe you will have full agreement between the coalition parties to split the costs,” said Rama.

Rama did not want to talk about the political situation, but his counterpart, Zoran Zaev, urged the Albanian opposition not to hinder the country's integration and instead to sit and dialogue with the majority.

“We were in opposition 21 months ago. The experience proved to us that dialogue is the way to solutions, especially between the government and the opposition.

“When I was in opposition, reports from the U.S. Department of State and the European Union spoke of a democracy of synergy in the Republic of North Macedonia.

“During the times I was talking to Commissioner Hahn, President Juncker or High Representative Mogherini, I prayed my country would set a date for talks, because it was my country’s strategic goal regardless of our internal conflicts.

“The progress of the state is everyone’s obligation,” reiterated Zaev.

Following the State Intelligence Service’s report on Russian influence, Edi Rama acknowledged their presence in the Balkans and indicated that it’s no secret that Russia wants to hinder the region’s integration into the European family.

However, extending the Schengen border across the Western Balkans is one of the main collaborative objectives between the two governments.

Meanwhile opening negotiations with the EU in June is a common goal shared by both Albania and North Macedonia.

EMISIONET