Prishtina, November 18, 2024
Honorable media representatives gathered here today,
Honorable citizens,
Three years after the first joint meeting of our two governments, which was held in Skopje on September 16, 2021, today, here in the capital of the Republic of Kosovo, in Pristina, I had the pleasure of hosting the second joint meeting of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Before the intergovernmental meeting session began, we had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, our second in less than four months. Although the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia do not have any disputes and maintain continuous and extensive communication, we also have many topics of mutual interest for our countries and the region that require our cooperation. Economy, trade, education, healthcare, security, energy, tourism, good neighborliness, and regional cooperation are just a few of them. The improvement of the road infrastructure connecting our two states and the strengthening of the bond between our citizens are crucial for deepening the relations between the two countries.
In this regard, there are also the protocol and the two memorandums that our ministers signed today concerning the facilitation of free movement, cooperation in the fields of energy and education. Specifically, the first was the Protocol for the implementation of the Agreement on Joint Border Crossing Points Hani i Elezit – Bllacë and Jazhincë – Glloboqicë.
After a long wait, we will finally have joint control at the border points of Hani i Elezit – Bllacë and Glloboqicë – Jazhincë. This border control model is implemented as entry-entry only, and police officials work in the same building to facilitate border crossing, thereby reducing waiting times to ease the movement of citizens. Furthermore, it will enhance the exchange of information among officers, thereby making the border more secure. Police officers from North Macedonia and police officers from Kosovo will be located together in the same facility or building.
The second was the Memorandum of Understanding in the Energy Sector in accordance with the policies and strategies of the respective ministries. With this memorandum, we have taken a significant step in strengthening the security of energy supply for both our countries. Both ministries will commit to addressing energy challenges, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in achieving common objectives. We commit to promoting projects for renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as to deepening the cooperation of experts between our energy corporations. Special attention will be given to the exchange of electricity and the supply of coal, in order to ensure more affordable costs for citizens and to develop a sustainable energy sector for the future of our two countries.
And the third is the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of education, which is focused on vocational education and training and adult education.
Vocational education and training has been identified as a sector of special importance within the framework of the ERA initiative or the European Education Area for the period 2021-2030. Kosovo and North Macedonia are part of a series of regional initiatives in this sector. This highlights the project “Strengthening the Quality of Education and Vocational Training in Southeast Europe,” where both of our Republics are partners in ensuring the quality of vocational education, which is naturally linked to market needs. Our Government and the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, along with all other governmental departments, have accordingly dedicated increased attention and resources to education and vocational training, extending beyond the respective ministry upon receiving our mandate, where an inter-ministerial committee is led by me as the Prime Minister. We have the successful example of dual education in our vocational high schools, where a direct connection between the employee and the business is being facilitated.
I thank the ministers of both governments for the preparation of these documents that we signed today, and I also thank the government of North Macedonia, particularly Prime Minister Mickoski, for the willingness and dedication to deepen cooperation and strengthen the partnership in the interest of our two countries, the citizens of both Republics, and the region to which we belong.
Thank you! And now, honorable Prime Minister Mickoski, esteemed Hristijan, the floor is yours.
Last modified: November 20, 2024